Paralympics Record-Breaking Swimmer Reveals 'Bullying' by Fellow Athletes

On Thursday, USA swimmer Christie Raleigh Crossley won her first-ever Paralympics medal at the 2024 Paris Games, coming in second in the 50-meter freestyle S10 final.

On her way there, the 37-year-old from Toms River, New Jersey broke the world record in the first heat of the 50-meter freestyle S9, finishing with a time of 27.28 seconds and securing her spot in the final.

The Paralympics place each athlete into categories of disability (S9, S10, etc...), which means Crossley swam with others who have been similarly affected by their disability.

Following her silver medal win, Crossley spoke to NBC and admitted that she has been dealing with "bullying" throughout her Paralympic journey.

"Since I've come into Para swimming, I've been the subject of a lot of bullying and that was on the forefront of today," Raleigh Crossley said. "I want to be a spotlight for people who aren't what you'd typically think a Paralympian is, but because I'm outside the norm and the cookie cutter, it's made me a target."

Crossley has overcome a major car accident caused by a drunk driver and the removal of a brain tumor to reach her latest accomplishment.

"When you're dealing with a life-changing disability, and then you think you've found a community and to find out there's ableism within that," Crossley continued. "It would be very easy to just be quiet about, but I feel like too many people have been quiet, and that's not gonna be me... I'm very much hoping Team USA will back me on this and will protect me from the continued harassment that I face."

Even in one of her first Instagram posts following her record-breaking performance, Crossley dealt with what appeared to be some bullying in the comment section.

"S9? It’s a joke?" wrote Spanish swimmer Sarai Gascon Moreno.

"I stand with you!" said USA swimmer Jessica Long in response to Moreno.

The 2024 Paris Paralympics marks Crossley's first appearance at the worldwide event. She originally planned on participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but due to the aforementioned car accident, she was unable to compete.

In 2018, Crossley had her sights set on the 2020 Tokyo Games, but an accident involving her son throwing a snowball made of ice at her head led to the discovery of her brain tumor, prompting doctors to remove it.

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