Discovering a New Path to Greatness Through Paralympic Sports
Not all Paralympians have lived with a disability their whole lives — some, like Carson Clough, find their way to the sport later on. Clough’s journey began after a boating accident led to a below-the-knee amputation of his right leg. Without any prior knowledge of Paralympic sports, he was invited to a talent ID camp for USA Triathlon, where he met his coach, Mark Sortino, and began his transformation into a Paralympic athlete.
Similarly, Monique Matthews’ Paralympic career started unexpectedly after an accident left her with a life-changing amputation. With the discovery of sitting volleyball through a brochure, she found a new path to competition and has since won four Paralympic medals.
Clough’s journey was not without challenges, but his dedication and hard work paid off when he medaled in his first Paralympic race, setting his sights on future competitions, including the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. His determination and drive to excel are evident as he looks to prove that it does get easier with time.
The stories of Clough and Matthews serve as inspiration for athletes facing adversity. They show that setbacks can lead to new opportunities and a chance to grow even stronger as athletes.
Written by Anna Licastro, a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
AP Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games
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