Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
New York Post
US Paralympians banned from closing ceremonies for questioning teammate’s disability: ‘Faking the hole in my brain’
By Dylan Svoboda,
8 days ago
Four United States swimmers were barred from the Paralympic closing ceremonies in Paris earlier this month for disparaging comments on social media they made about another competitor.
Jessica Long, Gia Pergolini, Julia Gaffney and Anastasia Pagonis were disciplined after appearing to question the disability of one of their teammates, violating U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee rules, according to the Washington Post .
The penalties could also lead to suspensions and a loss of stipends, per the outlet.
“We can confirm that sanctions have been imposed on several athletes due to unacceptable behavior,” a USOPC spokesperson wrote in a statement to the Washington Post. “It is important to uphold the standards expected of Team USA athletes, and we remain committed to addressing any actions that undermine our values.”
The punishments stem from comments made about U.S. swimmer Christie Raleigh Crossley, who suffers from S9, a neurological disorder.
Long, who has been outspoken about cheating in Paralympic swimming in the past, took aim at her teammates in the comments of an Instagram post celebrating Raleigh Crossley’s world record-setting 50-meter freestyle swim on Aug. 29.
Raleigh Crossley addressed the questioning of her disability while in Paris for the games.
“I went from enjoying a world record to being utterly devastated that the entire world seems to think I was a cheater and that I was somehow faking the hole in my brain and the cyst in my spinal cord,” Raleigh Crossley said. “To be told online by all of these bullies that I am not somehow disabled as I appear, just because I can swim faster than them, it’s pretty devastating.”
Long doubled-down on her comments earlier this month, accusing the Paralympic committee of being too lenient with their regulations.
“For me, I’ve seen the Paralympic movement for so long. I think we have intentional misrepresentation [rules] for a reason. And I think we are not using it. I think we really should, right?” Long said. “I want to see Paralympics with integrity. I want to see it better.
“And that’s what I will always stand for.”
For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/
well the Paris Olympics had transgender people in women sports so there's that. if these lady's were honestly asking what her disability was I don't see the problem. I mean NOT ALL disabilities Are visible so I think it's a fair question especially if you're just trying to understand a disability that you can't see so I don't see the problem also if you're making friends with someone that's the normal thing to do
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.