Below is Mallory's statement on the occurrences of the last 48 hours. While we are heartbroken for Mallory, she has demonstrated her ability to rise above time and time again, we believe in our hearts that this will be no different. We love you Mallory!
“Just hours before opening ceremonies, we received the news that our appeal for my reclassification was denied. The IPC confirmed my new classification as a S8/SB7/SM8 moving me up from the S7/SB6/SM7 classification where I have competed for the past three and a half years. I feel as though the system has failed me, as well as other athletes. A system that w
e as athletes trust to do the right thing and maintain the integrity of the sport but also protect us as athletes to create an equal playing field for all. After hearing word that our appeal to over turn the classification result had been denied I lost faith in that system. I have trained the past four and a half years for these games and within less then 24 hours before my first race was supposed to start it all changed, everything I had prepared myself for these past four years changed right there and then.
I understand change. I understand what it is like to have your life as you know it change in the blink of an eye. I went through that in 2008 when I was paralyzed. I walked into a clinic for a routine epidural injection and I never walked out. In that moment my life changed. My life changed again about four months later when I found my way back to the water again. After being a life long swimmer I found my love and passion for the sport unchanged. After seeing Trials for the US Paralympic Swim Team for the 2008 Games I was inspired to fight. To not let my new "disability" limit me, define me, or stop me from believing in what my future could hold. That day changed my life, my swimming saved me and allowed me to not only hope again but to believe again.
Coming into London for these Games and reflecting on my journey these past four and a half years it was a dream come true to not only be here but to know that I have pushed my body to new limits and overcome adversity. The values of the Paralympics are courage, determination, inspiration, and equality. These four values are consistent with how I live my daily life and are why I am so passionate about the Paralympic movement. With that said as I look to compete in my first event on Saturday I plan to rise above and not let this defeat me. I see this as a new opportunity to demonstrate that when life and people knock you down each and every one of us still has the ability to overcome and rise to the occasion.
This is a moment that I have poured my heart and soul into and although I do not agree with the decision that was brought down yesterday evening I do believe that everything happens for a reason and it is my hope that with this I can help change the system so there is more protection for athletes like myself. For these next ten days I will be racing, not the races I intended but none the less I will be competing for Team USA and I plan to continue do what I have done these past four years and push it to limit no matter what the classification. I want to say a special thank you to my family and sponsors for all of their overwhelming support throughout this process. I am truly humbled to have such an incredible support group.”
-Mallory Weggemann
Below is Mallory's new competition schedule:
*NOTE: All times are given in Greenwich Mean time which is 6 hours ahead of Central Standard Time
Saturday September 1
100m Breaststroke:
Prelims: 11:52am
Finals: 8:27pm
Sunday September 2
50m Freestyle:
Prelims: 11:17am
Finals: 7:54 pm
Monday September 3
*4x100m Freestyle Relay
Finals: 8:28 pm
Tuesday September 4
100m Backstroke:
Prelims: 9:38 am
Finals: 5:37 pm
Wednesday September 5
200m Individual Medley
Prelims: 9:45 am
FInals: 5:39 pm
Thursday September 6
100m Freestyle
Prelims: 11:10am
Finals: 7:29pm
Friday September 7
*4x100m Medley Relay
Finals: 8:47pm
*The determination on who will swim these relays has not been made yet, however at World Championships in 2010 Mallory swam on both of these relays
GO TEAM USA!!!
