CHARLOTTE, N.C. — While the 2024 Olympic Games kick off with the opening ceremony on July 26, this year's Paralympics are set to begin a bit later -- and one North Carolina athlete is set to make a splash yet again then.
Hannah Aspden has qualified again to swim in the women's 100-meter backstroke for the S9 classification during the 2024 Games. A native of Raleigh, Aspden previously swam for Queens University of Charlotte during her college studies. She's making a third trip to represent the United States.
Aspden made her Paralympic debut during the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro. She earned a bronze medal in the women's 100-meter backstroke for her classification, along with a bronze medal in the women's 4 x 100-meter medley relay. She'd outdo herself during the Tokyo Paralympics, earning gold medals in both events.
Paralympic swimmers who race in the S9 category usually have severe weakness in one leg or have limb loss of some kind. Aspden was born without her left leg.
For the 2024 Paralympics, there will not be any team relay races separated by gender; all 12 events will be mixed and see teams of two men and two women hit the water. 16 teams, including the United States, will hit the water. As of publication, the team for the U.S. hasn't been announced.
Aspden will hit the water around 3:45 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, Sept. 3, for the S9 qualifying heats in the women's 100m backstroke. She's back in the pool again for the final race for a medal at 11:44 a.m. should she qualify.
Aspden has additionally qualified for the women's 100-meter freestyle race, again under the S9 category. She will race to qualify on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 3:45 a.m. Eastern time. If she advances, she's back in the pool again for a shot at a medal at 1:35 p.m.
The 2024 Paralympic Games will begin on August 28, 2024. Select events will air on NBC via WCNC Charlotte and on CNBC and USA Network. 22 events will be available to stream via the Peacock platform.