The Paris Paralympic Games 2024, held for 12 days between August 28th, 2024 – September 8, 2024, spotlights athletes with various disabilities participating in an international multi-sport competition. Below is a compilation of the most captivating moments— ones for the books.
“Armless Archer” Matt Stutzman wins his first gold using an entirely self-taught technique. Ever since making his debut at the London 2012 Paralympics, Matt Stutzman has captured the attention of those around him. He perfects the technique of loading arrows with his feet and fires them with a modified release. During an interview with NBC Olympics, Stutzman expressed that he was satisfied with his accomplishment: “[I’m] 99% sure this is my last Games…I don’t think you can really top it.” In the quarterfinals, he shot a bullseye with a single arrow, destroying his opponent by a mere one point. When he moved on to the finals, he scored 149 out of 150 available points, setting the Paralympic record.
Sarah Adam, a key player in leading the US to Silver, makes history as the first female Paralympic rugby player for Team USA. During the exhilarating match for gold against Team Japan, Adam tied Chuck Aoki for the team lead with 14 tries. Commentators stated: “Adam is the first woman to play in the Paralympics for US wheelchair rugby and she will be the first medal winner as well,” Adam’s pathway into USA Wheelchair Rugby started during occupational therapy school when she discovered the sport while volunteering. “I’ve always been a competitive athlete. When I couldn’t compete in able-bodied sports, I needed to fill that gap. Wheelchair rugby fills that need to be active and competitive.” Adam states in her USA Wheelchair Rugby biography. She describes her playing style as “cerebral”, using the analogy of a chess board and describing how she aims to always be three steps ahead of her opponent.
Steve Serio, a five-time Paralympian, led Team USA to their 3rd Gold in Wheelchair Basketball. In the men’s final neck-to-neck race with Team Great Britain at 18 points, Serio shot a 3-pointer followed by Jennifer who pushed the final shot. Tension was in the air when Team Britain scored a Hail Mary—a very long forward pass— with only 11 seconds left on the clock, but Team USA managed to recover quickly, with the final score 73-69. Serio announces his retirement after marking Paralympic history: “To cap off my Team USA career with a win like this with a group of 12 athletes that I love, with a great staff in the team, these are what dreams are made of,” he told NBC News. Team USA became the first country to take gold for three consecutive years.
Ali Truwit takes silver in 400m freestyle S10 and 100m backstroke S10 in para swimming. In May 2023, Truwit suffered from a shark attack resulting in a missing leg. Since then, she took time to recover physically and mentally and relearn how to swim. Going from the Yale Swim Team to leading Team USA to win two Paralympic medals in less than a year is a remarkable accomplishment.
The Paralympic Games highlight perseverance and bravery by recognizing the efforts of athletes with physical impairments. By allowing athletes to live out their dreams, this event promotes social inclusion and inspires others to see what humans are capable of.
