Four United States Paralympian swimmers, Gia Pergolini, Julia Gaffney, Jessica Long, and Anastasia Pagonis, were disciplined and banned from attending the closing ceremonies of the Paralympics in Paris after making comments on social media questioning a teammate’s disability. The teammate in question, Christie Raleigh Crossley, has the neurological disorder S9, and the comments made by the swimmers were deemed to be clear violations of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee rules. In addition to being barred from the closing ceremonies, the swimmers are also facing suspensions and loss of stipends as a result of their actions.
The world record in the 50-meter freestyle event was set by Raleigh Crossley during the Paralympics in Paris on August 29. After Spanish swimmer Sarai Gascon Moreno questioned the legitimacy of Raleigh Crossley’s disability by saying, “S9? It’s a joke?”, Jessica Long jumped into the comments section to show her support for her teammate. Long continued to speak out against cheating in the Paralympics and accused the U.S. Paralympic committee of being too lenient in enforcing rules regarding intentional misrepresentation, stating that she wants to see the integrity of the Paralympics upheld.
Other swimmers, Julia Gaffney and Gia Pergolini, also made comments on social media that were critical of intentional misrepresentation and expressed support for Long’s stance. Raleigh Crossley addressed the online bullying and backlash she received after her record-breaking performance, expressing her devastation at being accused of cheating and faking her disability just because she was able to swim faster than others. Despite the challenges and scrutiny she faced, Raleigh Crossley remains committed to representing herself authentically as a Paralympic athlete.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee confirmed that sanctions were imposed on the four swimmers due to their unacceptable behavior. The Committee stressed the importance of upholding the standards expected of Team USA athletes and reiterated their commitment to addressing actions that undermine their values. The swimmers are not only facing consequences for their comments but also serve as a cautionary tale for all athletes about the impact of irresponsible behavior on social media and the necessity of showing respect and support for teammates and competitors.
The incident highlights the importance of integrity and respect within the Paralympic movement, as well as the need for stricter enforcement of rules regarding intentional misrepresentation. It also underscores the challenges faced by Paralympic athletes in dealing with discrimination, skepticism, and bullying related to their disabilities. Moving forward, it is crucial for all athletes to uphold the values of fairness, sportsmanship, and inclusivity both on and off the field of play, and to support and uplift their fellow competitors in the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect. Ultimately, the case serves as a reminder of the significance of promoting a culture of acceptance, understanding, and empowerment within the Paralympic community.
