Swimmer Gia Pergolini won USA's first gold medal at 2024 Paris Paralympics

Swimmer Gia Pergolini won the USA’s first gold medal in women’s 100-meter S13 backstroke at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. She successfully defended her position against her competitors during the swimming race.

Although she started strong, she saved some energy for the second half of the swimming race. Despite feeling tired towards the end, she finished first within the time duration of 1:04.93, making her a two-time Paralympic champion.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by U.S. Paralympics Swimming (@usparaswimming)

After winning a gold medal, Gia stated you believe it gets better. It’s not getting better. It makes me so happy to be here winning the first gold medal for one of the best countries in the world. In the end, I reached my goal, which was to win gold.

Gia said she knew she went out really fast for my 100-yard back. She thought she had to go out really fast anyway, so just controlled herself. Do not start too fast and then give it your all in the last 50. It was something- she did all the time because she had done it so many times.

Silver medalist swimmer Grace Nuhfer helped Gia Pergolini so she won the USA’s gold medal as her teammate. Gia stated Grace helped her stay calm during the stressful race.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by GIA (@gia.pergolini)

Click here to read the updates on French Swimmer Leon Marchand made history by winning two gold medals in one night

However, Grace came in eighth place in the women’s 100-meter backstroke S13 event, just one night after winning silver in her first Paralympic event, the women’s 100-meter butterfly S13.

Gia said getting to be with Grace is just so much fun. She loves her. She’s new to the Paralympics, but she is glad she’s here to defend her country, just like she is. It seems like every day and race brings them closer together as friends. Grace is great.

Apart from them, Elizabeth Marks from Colorado Springs, a three-time Paralympian, earned more medals on the same day. She won two more medals on the same day while winning an individual silver medal for the US in the mixed 40×50-meter freestyle relay 20 points.