Taylor Swanson won silver and bronze medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Swanson, who competed in the 100 and 200-meter races, described her success as a surprise, given her past struggles with her condition.
Born in South Korea and adopted by a family in Seattle, Swanson always had a passion for track and field. She competed at state championships and even considered joining the South Korean national team. In November 2023, a knee injury led to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, which affects movement and coordination.
“That's kind of where I went to change from trying for the Olympics to trying for the Paralympics,” she recalled. "It actually was a relief for me."
Despite the new challenges, Swanson joined Parasport Spokane to pursue para-track events. Swanson now advocates for athletes with disabilities and works with the Exercise Rx project, a platform designed to help individuals with cerebral palsy engage in physical activity.
"I’m hoping to continue working with them and bring awareness to communities and schools so that people can see themselves in me and realize that your disability doesn’t need to define you. It’s just a part of who you are,” she said.
Download broadcast-ready soundbites and related multimedia with Swanson. Read our related Noteworthy item.
