US Paralympic athletes have been banned from attending the closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Games in Paris following comments on social media questioning a teammate's disability.
Swimmers Gia Pergolini, Julia Ganney, Jessica Long and Anastasia Pagonis were disciplined for their comments about fellow swimmer Christie Raleigh Crossley, who has the neurological disorder S9.
His comments are clear violations of the rules of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, according to The Washington Post.
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Christie Raleigh Crossley during the women's 50m freestyle during the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at La Défense Arena. (Avery Bane/USA Today)
“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 maintain the standards expected of Team USA athletes and we remain committed to addressing any actions that undermine our values.”
In addition to being excluded from the closing ceremonies, the four swimmers are also subject to suspensions and loss of stipends, The Washington Post added.
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Raleigh Crossley set the world record in Paris in the 50-meter freestyle event on August 29, and Long, who has been vocal about cheating at the Paralympics, jumped into the comments of an Instagram post where her teammates were celebrating the feat.
“I'm with you,” Long said after Spanish swimmer Sarai Gascón Moreno said: “S9? Are you kidding me?”
Long also followed up on this comment, accusing the U.S. Paralympic Committee of being too lenient.
Jessica Long of the U.S. swimming team during the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Paris La Défense stadium. (Ryan Beatty/USA Today)
“I've watched the Paralympic movement for so long. I think we have an intentional misrepresentation.” [rules] “For some reason,” she said, via the New York Post. “And I think we're not using it. I think we really should, right? I want to see a Paralympic Games with integrity. I want to see it better.”
“And that's what I will always stand for.”
Gaffney's comment was posted on another post and read: “Not a positive impact. Intentional misrepresentation is never nice.”
Pergolini responded to Gaffney with a “well said” and replied “this” with a raised hands emoji next to it to confirm his approval of the comment.
Raleigh Crossley had to address those who questioned his disability in Paris.
Jessica Long of the U.S. swimming team during the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Paris La Défense stadium. (Ryan Beatty/USA Today)
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“I went from enjoying a world record to being completely devastated because everyone seemed to think I was a cheater and that I was somehow faking the hole in my brain and the cyst on my spinal cord,” Raleigh Crossley said, via the New York Post.
“To have all these online bullies telling me that I don't have the disability I look like, just because I can swim faster than them, is pretty devastating.”
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