Just watch me: US’ Leanne Smith recovers from collapsed lung to claim Paralympic gold
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Gold medallist Leanne Smith of the United States celebrates on the podium after winning the 100m freestyle S3 at the Paris Paralympics.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
PARIS – When Leanne Smith suffered a partially collapsed lung in late 2022, the idea of winning a Paralympics swimming gold medal, or even just returning to the pool one day, seemed impossible.
However, on Sept 3, the 36-year-old American did just that.
She went one better than at the Tokyo Games in 2021 to win the 100m freestyle S3, the category for swimmers without the use of trunk or legs and partial functioning of their arms and hands.
“If you would have told me I would be a gold medallist in this race 18 months ago, when I was just getting back into the water, I would have told you (that) you were crazy,” a grinning Smith said after her 1min 28.81sec effort.
“It’s just another testament to the inner determination I have and people placing limitations and then me just saying, ‘OK, well, just watch me, I’ll make it back’.”
Spain’s Marta Fernandez Infante took silver in 1:30.04 with Rachael Watson of Australia third (1:38.92).
Months before the setback of a vicious respiratory infection which landed her in hospital for two months, Smith was on cloud nine, having just claimed seven gold medals at the world championships in Portugal.
Those successes in June 2022 were achieved just a decade after being diagnosed with dystonia, a progressive disease which affects all four of her limbs, her vocal cords and her trunk.
Her latest crowning moment at the Paralympics, 11 years after starting the sport, came in front of thousands of fans at a packed Paris La Defense Arena.
“It’s kind of our redemption swim from the silver in Tokyo,” Smith added. “It’s definitely nice to have achieved that upgrade...
“And then as we started to see how pieces would fall as far as regarding the pretty major setback after Madeira in 2022, we didn’t really know what life would be like... swimming wasn’t even on the table after that day.”
Smith is from Massachusetts and a home Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in four years’ time remains an option, but she insisted she is not thinking that far ahead. “I haven’t really thought about it too much,” she said.
“I know it’s coming up but again, just making it here is such a huge accomplishment that I really just want to relish and take in the moments... I’m having here.
“It’s (taking part in the 2028 Games) not off the table. But at this time, we’re just enjoying where we’re at. Four years is a long way away, so maybe some time off where it’s not in the hospital or in the swimming pool is my next step.” AFP
