Photo by: Mark Ries/USOPC
Lettenberger Goes for Gold in Paris
8/15/2024 3:00:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Rice's very own will compete for two more medals during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
HOUSTON – Ahalya Lettenberger, 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games silver medalist, 2022 World Para Swimming Championships bronze medalist, 2023 World Para Swimming Championships silver medalist, and Marshall Scholar, will head to Paris on Friday, August 16, to take part in the 2024 Paralympic Games.
"Everything is really hectic, but I'm so excited," Lettenberger told local television reporters on Thursday morning. "I'm excited to go to Paris and to be there not during COVID."
Lettenberger recounted her experience in Tokyo during the worldwide pandemic and compared what the atmosphere was there to how the thinks it'll be in Paris.
"In Tokyo, they built these large stadiums and almost no one could be there, it was just really eerie. This will be a completely different experience, the people being there helps the adrenaline get going. My family being there will help too."
There were several positives to come from Tokyo, even if attendance was limited. The experience of swimming with and against some of the greatest swimmers in the world prepped Lettenberger for this opportunity.
"I'll be doing the 100-meter breaststroke and the 400-meter freestyle in Paris. Tokyo prepared me for this, because I wasn't sure of what I was doing back then since it was my first Paralympic Games, but now I'm a lot more confident. I'm going in as a veteran on the team and I want to be a leader and help the younger swimmers. I want those swimmers to have a great experience like I had in Tokyo."
Of course, there's more to do in Paris than compete, and Lettenberger is looking forward to taking it all in.
"I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower, definitely eating croissants, just going around and seeing everything Paris has [to offer]."
Lettenberger attributes a lot of her success during her time on South Main, both in the pool and in her studies, to her teammates, her coaching staff, and all of Rice University.
"I've been able to do everything I could have possibly wanted to do. The team has been like a second family and the coaches have been more than I could ever ask for. On the school side, I made it in and I'm getting to do bioresearch, it's everything I've wanted. It gave me the balance and everything I've needed."
"It's just such an honor to be able to represent not just the United States, but also Rice, and being able to compete for all the people that have helped me get here. It's truly an honor and words can't describe what it means to me."
You can catch Lettenberger, the U.S. Paralympics Swim Team, and all of Team USA compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8. Lettenberger will be competing in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 400-meter freestyle on the Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend.
"Everything is really hectic, but I'm so excited," Lettenberger told local television reporters on Thursday morning. "I'm excited to go to Paris and to be there not during COVID."
Lettenberger recounted her experience in Tokyo during the worldwide pandemic and compared what the atmosphere was there to how the thinks it'll be in Paris.
"In Tokyo, they built these large stadiums and almost no one could be there, it was just really eerie. This will be a completely different experience, the people being there helps the adrenaline get going. My family being there will help too."
There were several positives to come from Tokyo, even if attendance was limited. The experience of swimming with and against some of the greatest swimmers in the world prepped Lettenberger for this opportunity.
"I'll be doing the 100-meter breaststroke and the 400-meter freestyle in Paris. Tokyo prepared me for this, because I wasn't sure of what I was doing back then since it was my first Paralympic Games, but now I'm a lot more confident. I'm going in as a veteran on the team and I want to be a leader and help the younger swimmers. I want those swimmers to have a great experience like I had in Tokyo."
Of course, there's more to do in Paris than compete, and Lettenberger is looking forward to taking it all in.
"I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower, definitely eating croissants, just going around and seeing everything Paris has [to offer]."
Lettenberger attributes a lot of her success during her time on South Main, both in the pool and in her studies, to her teammates, her coaching staff, and all of Rice University.
"I've been able to do everything I could have possibly wanted to do. The team has been like a second family and the coaches have been more than I could ever ask for. On the school side, I made it in and I'm getting to do bioresearch, it's everything I've wanted. It gave me the balance and everything I've needed."
"It's just such an honor to be able to represent not just the United States, but also Rice, and being able to compete for all the people that have helped me get here. It's truly an honor and words can't describe what it means to me."
You can catch Lettenberger, the U.S. Paralympics Swim Team, and all of Team USA compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8. Lettenberger will be competing in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 400-meter freestyle on the Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend.
Players Mentioned
Backstroke
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