The USOPC has announced the swimmers who will be representing the United States at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
The 2021 Paralympic Games will occur in Tokyo, Japan from August 24 until September 5, featuring about 4400 athletes from an estimated 100 countries.
The US Paralympic Swimming Roster consists of 10 men and 24 women, headlined by 5 time Paralympian Jessica Long. Other notable swimmers on the roster include 3 time paralympians Mallory Weggmann and McKenzie Coan along with world record holders Anastasia Pagonis and Gia Pergolini.
There are a total of 11 first-time paralympians on the team and 13 veterans. In 2016, the US contingent ranked up a total of 37 medals, including 14 golds. This led the team to finish 4th overall in the medal table, only behind China, Ukraine, and Great Britain.
Two athletes broke world records during the trials, which they will look to improve upon during the Paralympic Games. Gia Pergolini set a new world record in the S13 100 Backstroke with a time of 1:05.31, while Anastasia Pagonis broke the world record in the S11 400 freestyle with a time of 4:56.16.
Full Paralympic Swimming Roster
Men
- David Abrahams
- Evan Austin
- Parker Egbert
- Rudy Garcia-Tolson
- Robert Griswold
- Jamal Hill
- Joey Peppersack
- Lawrence Sapp
- Zachary Shattuck
- Matthew Torres
Women
- Hannah Aspden
- McKenzie Coan
- Cailin Currie
- Julia Gaffney
- McClain Hermes
- Sophia Herzog
- Mikaela Jenkins
- Keegan Knott
- Ahalya Lettenberger
- Jessica Long
- Elizabeth Marks
- Rebecca Meyers
- Makayla Nietzel
- Anastasia Pagonis
- Gia Pergolini
- Martha Ruether
- Summer Schmit
- Haven Shepherd
- Natalie Sims
- Leanne Smith
- Elizabeth Smith
- Morgan Stickney
- Mallory Weggemann
- Colleen Young
There must be some reason that some names are in black and some in red! Why not include that info.
Yay Parker!!!!
Morgan Ray 1st Alternate ROBBED!
Just curious: did he finish higher than those who made the team? Was the selection process deviated from? What is the basis for being robbed? These selection procedures don’t seem straightforward.
Congrats Haven and Julia!! Arkansas Swimming represent!
Why so many more women?
The swimming committee of the International Paralympic Committee allocates spots to each nation based upon swimmers’ world rankings. In recent years the USA has had more female than male swimmers with high rankings.