US Paralympic Administrators Admonish Team Over Social Media Behavior at Paralympic Games

Decorated Paralympic swimmer and the Director of U.S. Paralympic Swimming Erin Popovich has sent out a stern email addressing the behavior of American swimmers at the Paralympic Games in Paris, and especially social media posts targeting other members of the team.

“I want to express my deep disappointment regarding the recent conduct observed on social media, which blatantly disregards the message we previously communicated and the Team USA delegation terms,” Popovich wrote. “Engaging in public disputes and targeting teammates on platforms like Instagram is unacceptable and contrary to the values we uphold.”

Popovich says that the athletes involved have been reported to the governing board and that “a disciplinary decision will follow shortly.”

While Popovich’s email did not specify the behavior in question, at least a piece of it is likely related to 37-year-old Christie Raleigh-Crossley. The former NCAA Division III Champion who now competes for the US Paralympic Team has won gold medals in the S9 100 fly and S9 100 back, silver in the S9 100 free, and silver in the S10 50 free. She has been very public about bullying accusations against her before and during the Games. The Paris Games are her Paralympic debut.

She set the World Record in the 50 free in prelims as an S9, but opted to swim in the S10 category in finals instead.

In the Para-swimming classification system, S1 to S10 are for athletes with physical impairments, S11-S13 are for athletes with visual impairments, and S14 is for athletes with intellectual disabilities. In general, the higher the classification, the less-severe the impairment as it relates to swimming.

On a post by World Para Swimming celebrating her World Record, collaborated with Raleigh-Crossley’s professional account, Spanish S9 swimmer Sarai Gascon Moreno commented “S9? It’s a joke?”

American swimmer Jessica Long, one of the faces of the Paralympic Games in the United States, replied to Moreno saying “I stand with you!”

As of Saturday, Long had not removed her comment. Other members of team USA, including Jamal Hill, posted comments of support on the same thread.

Raleigh-Crossley has a neurological condition classified as S9. She suffered neck and back injuries after being hit by a drunk driver in 2007, and a brain injury when she was in another crash a year later.

She said that in the wake of the backlash, she has distanced herself from the US Paralympic swim team and instead has spent most of her time with American athletes from other sports.

With one finals session remaining on Saturday, Team USA has won 9 gold medals and 26 total medals at the Paralympic Games. That ranks them behind three countries plus the Neutral Paralympic Athletes from Russia and Belarus. The Americans won 15 gold medals and 35 total medals

Popovich’s email is in full below:

Dear Team USA Paralympic Swim Team,
I want to express my deep disappointment regarding the recent conduct observed on social media, which blatantly disregards the message we previously communicated and the Team USA delegation terms. Engaging in public disputes and targeting teammates on platforms like Instagram is unacceptable and contrary to the values we uphold.

We want to remind everyone that there are established and proper channels available for voicing any concerns or complaints. We encourage you to use these avenues to ensure that all matters are addressed appropriately and respectfully.

For those involved, please be informed that your actions have been reported to the governing board, and you will be placed on notice. A disciplinary decision will follow shortly. This behavior is not in line with the standards expected of Team USA representatives and will not be tolerated.

As we approach the conclusion of these Games, we urge each of you to reflect on your responsibilities as members of this esteemed team. Represent the United States with dignity and respect, and be the supportive teammates we know you can
be.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and trust that you will conduct yourselves appropriately moving forward.

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coacheroo
2 months ago

Many defenders and media responses also seem to leave off the Safe Sport concerns raised by other athletes regarding past background checks (was turned down for one position for multiple assault/domestic battery allegations, one involving a spouse and another involving a mentally disabled brother). It seems disingenuous to address one athlete’s safe sport concerns but ignore those of others, who have consistently raised the aggressive approach and tactics of CRC in training and at events.
As has been said by others, more review of this and the classification should have been done in advance, and athletes who feel they are not heard for these concerns are speaking up in various ways. Many… Read more »

Steve Long
2 months ago

The established and proper channels for voicing concerns or complaints has not worked.

Back in 2016 when I complained about Intentional Misrepresentation, the IPC claimed to have investigated more than 80 athletes for IM: No one was reprimanded.

Now that he is retired, Xavier Gonzalez, who led the IPC during the 2016 investigations, admitted that “we had what is called cheating in classification.”

I’m not surprised that these swimmers felt like they had to speak out publicly.

Victim of Steve Long
Reply to  Steve Long
2 months ago

You just don’t give up do you. You and your daughter ruined my livelihood because you or her didn’t understand my disability or brain injury. You both need an education in brain injuries. Whilst I do no know the American swimmer in question I believe you need to get all the information and facts straight before you go doing this again. I believed your daughter was rightfully punished for what she did but she should’ve also been punished years ago for loading bullets for you to fire at other young up and coming swimmers.

Jonathan
2 months ago

I would love for a reputable news organization to investigate and report on the allegations against CRC. But I bet any news organization would be super worried about being sued for defamation.

justanopinion
Reply to  Jonathan
2 months ago

Nevermind mainstream news….just pass it to TMZ or similiar outlet. They will follow her around like a hawk 24/7 to get the pictures or videos that ‘out’ her if the allegations about her are accurate. Public outrage/shock stories like this are what they built their castles on. Someone ripping off a legitimate disabled person is they type of story that will outrage mom and pop midwesterner.
I would guess by now this person is painfully aware that IF those accusations hold weight, her jig is up and a retirement statement will be coming in hot sooner than later. It will be filled with greivences as to why retirement is necessary but smart people will know what it is and… Read more »

Willy the Swim Fan
Reply to  Jonathan
2 months ago

I’m not a news organization, but here’s the history of CRC in the 100 backstroke (LCM) at para meets since December 2022. Meets where international classification appointments/observations would have taken place in bold:

December 2022 – US Para Nationals – Heats – 1:12.58
December 2022 – US Para Nationals – Finals – 1:13.88

March 2023 – World Series Italy – Heats – 1:12.60
March 2023 – World Series Italy – Finals – 1:09.59
April 2023 – World Series USA – Heats – 1:15.09
April 2023 – World Series USA – Finals – 1:10.01
August 2023 – World Championships – Heats – 1:14.65
August 2023 – World Championships – Finals – 1:09.87

February 2024 –… Read more »

Last edited 2 months ago by Willy the Swim Fan
Jonathan
Reply to  Willy the Swim Fan
2 months ago

Seems pretty suspicious to me.

Para swimmer
Reply to  Willy the Swim Fan
2 months ago

April 2023 World Series USA was her classification that year actually (not Italy). She swam the 400 free for her observation swim, going a 5:20.08 whilst dragging one arm in the water the whole time and turning on a full 8-beat kick on the last 50 (videos are on usparaswimming Facebook).

She intentionally skipped 100 free, 100 fly, 50 free so the 400 would be her observation swim (you get classified based on your first swim of the meet, so you can enter off events with a slow time/NT if you’re playing the system). Then swam the 100 back normally on the last day (after classification was set in stone for a year) to qualify for world championships.

Willy the Swim Fan
Reply to  Para swimmer
2 months ago

Thanks for that clarification! I pulled all of her results and assumed Italy was the place because she made finals. I appreciate the deep dive into what happened in 2023 and it makes sense as the 400 is usually day 1 of the meets. She only has two 400 free races at para meets (the other being at the Fred in October 2022, where she went 5:39.)

Last edited 2 months ago by Willy the Swim Fan
Drew
Reply to  Willy the Swim Fan
2 months ago

Absolute joke. Erin Popovic needs to be removed from her position.

Dmswim
Reply to  Jonathan
2 months ago

Yes, the New York Times did a story on her and it was incredibly one sided in her favor. They didn’t seem to fact check many of her claims, especially the ones that she was a legitimate Olympic hopeful in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021.

Jo
Reply to  Jonathan
2 months ago

In Australia last year a story was done by ABC in regards to an Aussie athlete. Unfortunately said athlete was still able to attend the Paris games and won gold. Unless the public get on board and demand action as well then nothing will happen.

Jonah
2 months ago

Were those who dared to speak out publicly were “uninvited” from the closing ceremony? smdh.

Chlorinetherapy
2 months ago

It is said that the culture of a team is determined by the worst behaviour that is tolerated. Sounds like USA Para Swimming needs to get their act together and deal with this manipulative nonsense.

Nothing New
2 months ago

It’s not uncommon for athletes to find ways to class down, some even go get classified in South America or Asia where the classifications are not as rigorous so they can get classed down. The system is not perfect or fair but everyone knows that. The issue here is Christie’s demeanor and playing the victim. If she just kept her mouth shut and raced less people would take issue. It’s the trash talking, playing up her disability, theatrics, and drama that frustrates the other athletes. She was going around to the S8’s at para trials telling them she was more disabled than they were and that should be an 8 instead of a 9. The administrators defend her because she… Read more »

Come Home to Roost
2 months ago

Christie Raleigh claims bullying because too many people know who she is. Whether or not her condition is as legitimate as she says, she is the girl who cried wolf for the entirety of her career (again ask anyone who swam with her at Pine Crest, FSU, and Rowan).

Old Swimmer
Reply to  Come Home to Roost
2 months ago

Did she ever do anything at the Div 1 level at FSU? I swam in the SEC back in the day and never heard of her….

Come Home to Roost
Reply to  Old Swimmer
2 months ago

Yup- NCAA qualifier and ACC Champion in the 100 Fly. She was swimming solid :53 possibly even a :52 at some point between 2006-2008. The conversation was never a debate about how talented she is/was- she was a toxic teammate and was eventually kicked off the team…

Anonymous us para swimmer
2 months ago

I’m posting this anonymously as athletes are being threatened with losing their income and livelihood for speaking publicly.

The thing that is most frustrating to a lot of the US team is how CRC and her drama keeps escalating.

We have been around her for a few years now and her story is always changing. In the beginning she was dramatic but it was much more toned down. She said she acquired her disability from an injury occurring a few years before she started para. However, each team camp, meet, etc. after this some new element was added: accidents 10, 15+ years before suddenly contribute to her disability, she needs more and more assistance (and staff) at the pool… Read more »

OldSwimmer
Reply to  Anonymous us para swimmer
2 months ago

Late to the game, don’t watch Paralympics but I’m disturbed to read such antics going on. Fairly shocked.

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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