There are four Connecticut athletes competing at the 2024 Paralympic Games on Team USA.
These athletes are just four out of the 225 Team USA Paralympians in Paris. Team USA has athletes from 39 different states representing their country in the prestigious international event.
Only one of the four athletes from Connecticut has competed at the Paralympic Games before. The other three are first-timers at the Games.
Opening ceremonies for the 2024 summer Paralympics was held on August 28. The Games run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Here are the athletes representing Connecticut on Team USA at the 2024 Paralympics.
Matthew Torres, Para-Swimming (Ansonia, CT)
This is the second Paralympic Games for Matthew Torres of Ansonia. During his first time at the Paralympics, he won the bronze medal for the 400-meter Freestyle S8 men’s event.
According to Torres’ bio on the Team USA website, he was born with amniotic band syndrome, missing half of his right leg, with deformities on both hands. He also has moderate hearing loss.
Torres began swimming in 2008 after watching Michael Phelps at the Beijing Games. The 23-year-old athlete is competing in para-swimming in his second Paralympic Games.
Follow Torres on Instagram at realmatttorres.
Ali Truwit, Para-Swimming (Darien, CT)
Ali Truwit is a Yale University graduate from Darien, competing in para-swimming. She placed first in the 2018 Speedo Sectionals’ 1650-yard freestyle.
Truwit was the victim of a shark attack where she lost her foot and part of her leg back over a year ago. Now, the 24-year-old is competing in the Paralympics.
Follow her on Instagram at alitruwit.
Ben Washburne, Para-Rowing (Madison, CT)
Born in Madison, Ben Washburne is an athlete competing in the para-rowing sport in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. The 23-year-old attended Williams College and is a fan of the Denver Broncos.
This is Washburne’s first time at the Paralympic Games. He won a silver medal at the 2023 World Rowing Championship in the PR3 mixed coxed four competition, rowing along with fellow first-time Paralympians Emelie Eldracher, Alex Flynn and Saige Harper in that heat.
Follow Washburne on Instagram at ben.washburne.
Sydney Satchell, Sitting Volleyball (Windsor, CT)
Sydney Satchell will be competing in sitting volleyball at the 2024 Paralympic Games. The 32-year-old never played organized volleyball before trying sitting volleyball.
According to Satchell’s bio on the Team USA website, she endured a car accident in March 2015 due to ice on the road. Her injuries included a concussion, a partially fractured nose, two dead arteries that went down to her left foot, nerve damage to the lower part of her left leg and a broken leg. She spent seven weeks in the hospital, enduring eight surgeries, including a left leg amputation.
She attended her first-ever sitting volleyball camp in 2016, earning a spot on the Women’s Sitting Volleyball National Team in 2019.
This is her first time at the Paralympic Games, however she does have world championship experience, having won bronze at the 2022 ParaVolley World Championships.
Follow Satchell on Instagram at sydneysatchell.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.
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Publish date : 2024-08-28 22:08:00
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