Roundup: Mallory Weggemann, And Baby On Board, Take An Early Visit Paris
by Paul D. Bowker

Mallory Weggemann celebrates a medal at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. (Photo: Joe Kusumoto)
Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para swimming. Here’s what you missed!
Paris Games Tease Weggemann
Mallory Weggemann, a three-time Paralympian who has won three gold medals, made an early visit to Paris, which will host the 2024 Paralympic Games.
And she had plenty of company with husband Jay and a yet-to-be-born child. She is 14 weeks into a pregnancy.
“As we sat in front of the Agitos we spoke our dreams with intention, we felt the love that fuels them, all while knowing what gives them meaning is knowing that our Little One will be on this journey with us as we fight for our 4th Paralympic Games. And it is ‘our’ because I don’t do this without the unwavering love and support of this man and now, our Little One is a part of every decision.”
Weggemann, a three-time USA Swimming Disabled Athlete of the Year, won Paralympic gold medals in the 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter backstroke in Tokyo.
Pagonis And The Tappers
Anastasia Pagonis, a visually impaired swimmer who won gold and bronze medals in her Paralympic Games debut last year in Tokyo, went to Instagram to explain what a “tapper” is and how they help her during a race.
There are people positioned at each end of the swimming lane who tap Pagonis on the head before she hits the wall, Pagonis said in her video.
Check out this cool video by Anastasia, sort of Visually Impaired Swimming 101:
Memorable Invitation
McKenzie Coan, a three-time Paralympian, remembers crying when she received an invitation to participate in this year’s Duel in the Pool competition in Australia.
That is how deep the emotions cut.
“I actually grew up watching Duel in the Pool,” she told USParaSwimming.org. “And I always thought how cool it is to be those elite athletes who are chosen to go compete against each other.”
This year, Para swimmers were invited for the first time. For a look back at the historic moment, go here.
And here’s a look at Coan’s joyous moment:
Clean Car Look
Two-time Paralympian Lizzi Smith likes to keep those Team Toyota wheels clean when she’s not driving.
So, let’s take a look:
Great Moves In India
And now, let’s check in to see what’s happening on the pool deck in India:
Some recreational session at pool. Para Swimming National Coaching Camp. #shamsaalam #paraswimming #paraswimmer @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @Para_swimming #disabledandproud #wethe15 @Paralympics @ParalympicIndia @WeThe15 @fina1908 @asianparalympic @WOWOWParalympic @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/HpEf73yuVc
— Shams Aalam (@IamShamsAalam) August 4, 2022
Paul D. Bowker #
Paul D. Bowker has been writing about Olympic sports since 1996, when he was an assistant bureau chief in Atlanta. He is a freelance contributor to USParaSwimming.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
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