PARIS, France — The 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France are well underway just weeks after the Olympic Games wrapped up. Athletes from across the globe are in the City of Lights to compete for medals and for their countries.
Hannah Aspden, with the American team, is among them. And she hit the water at París La Défense Arena Monday with hopes to add to her medal count.
Who is Hannah Aspden?
A native of Raleigh, Aspden previously swam for Queens University of Charlotte during her college studies. This was her 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.
What are her races?
Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay
Aspden competed in the 4x100-meter medley relay, 34 points, on Monday. She and her teammates, Morgan Ray, Christie Raleigh Crossley, and Yaseen El-Demerdash, placed sixth with a time of 4:33.65.
Women's 100m Backstroke
Aspden also qualified for the women's 100-meter backstroke. She is classified under the S9 category for Paralympic swimming. 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.
In the 100m backstroke event on Tuesday, she placed sixth with a time of 1:12.77, behind the leader by 4.85.
Women's 100m Freestyle
Aspden also qualified for the women's 100-meter freestyle. She is classified under the S9 category for Paralympic swimming. 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 100-meter women's freestyle race, Aspden raced to qualify on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 3:45 a.m. Eastern time. She finished sixth in her heat and did not advance to the finals.
How can viewers watch her swim?
In the United States, 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.
Coverage for Paralympic swimming qualifiers on Sept. 3 and Sept. 4 begins at 5 a.m. Eastern on USA Network, along with track & field, sitting volleyball, and more. Medal event coverage on USA begins at 11:30 a.m. as well on both days.
What did Hannah Aspden have to say about going to Paris?
WCNC Charlotte caught up with Aspden in late July, as she and her fellow swimmers prepared to make the journey. She's spent plenty of time building up her skills with Team USA, strengthening the bonds made with old friends while offering a friendly hello to newcomers.
"It means the world to me," she said. "I've been in this world for such a long time. I remember my first Paralympic meet when I was 10 years old, I had some really amazing people that had been very established in that community that brought me in and showed me the ropes and introduced me to everyone. And that's what I'm trying to do now for the new people coming in, because I had that coming in, and it really is such an amazing community to be a part of."
For Aspden, hitting the water and competing at the international level isn't just about racking up wins. It's about showing other girls like her with limb differences that they have a place in the pool.
"The entire reason that I do this, most of the reason that I do this, is to reach that audience of people that were like me as a kid who didn't know anyone else that was like this," she said, "didn't know what the options and opportunities were both there, didn't know that there was such an incredible community of people here that you can relate to that do understand people that look like you."
That visibility, that representation of people like her, harkens back to Aspden's childhood when she first hit the water as a child.
"When I was really little, I didn't know anyone that was built differently. It wasn't as widely represented," she said, "and my specific situation was a little bit more rare. So there weren't necessarily as many of those resources out there."
But nowadays, Aspden says the Paralympic movement has grown and matured, garnering more media attention and publicity. She's honored to be part of it all, ensuring that athletes of all backgrounds can shine under the spotlight. And she's hopeful the 2024 Games further put a shine on para athletes.
"A lot of companies and a lot of media are really picking up Paralympic athletes now," she said. "I think every time we do this, we're just building so much traction, especially over the past couple of years."
Aspden says she's not stopping either, even after three successive and successful appearances at the Paralympics. She's already got her eyes set on the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
"I've been swimming my whole life so far, and I plan to keep swimming for the rest of my life, as much as I can competitively," she said.
Along with getting to see the venues in Paris, Aspden is looking forward to making friends across cultures through a special activity.
"We do pin trading, and we trade with other countries," she said. "I think that's such an amazing thing that crosses cultural boundaries, language boundaries."
Aspden does have an Olympic guilty pleasure; she has a sport outside of swimming that fascinates her.
"I really love watching figure skating," she said. "I think it's beautiful and takes so much strength and grace!"
And for any Parisians or well-traveled fans who'd like to offer a food recommendation while in Paris, Aspden keeps it simple.
"I like bread. I'll try any kind of bread," she said.
After she competes, Aspden is open to any other cuisine suggestions.