On The Way To Paris, U.S. Swimmers Prep At U.S. Army Garrison In Stuttgart

The road to Paris goes through Germany, at least for the U.S. Paralympic swim team.

The 33 members of Team USA traveled to U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart for a weeklong training camp on the German base to help them come together as a team in a setting befitting their representation of the Stars and Stripes.

Zach Shattuck, who’ll be competing in his second Paralympics, said this team camp is an important piece of their Paralympic journey.

“It provides us space where we’re all together,” the native of Mt. Airy, Maryland, said. “We’re going to the pool together, riding the bus, hanging out at the hotel, going to different activities and spending time with people who otherwise are maybe training in different parts of the country so we don’t get to see each other. You’re catching up with old friends, making new friends and fostering the relationships that are going to make us Team USA.”

The team’s journey started with a commercial flight out of the U.S., prior to which Delta Airlines personnel made an announcement to the nearby gates that the U.S. Paralympic swim team was getting ready to head overseas. 

“That got some decent applause,” Shattuck said. “That was pretty cool.”

Upon arrival in Stuttgart, the swimmers were met by the 405th Army Field Support Brigade’s Logistics Readiness Center Stuttgart and transported to the base, where they were welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters. McKenzie Coan, Jamal Hill, Lizzi Smith, David Abrahams and Army Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Marks were part of a meet and greet with over 100 servicemembers and their families on base, and the team also took part in a community event meeting children from the local swim team.

<Link to Army story if you want: https://www.army.mil/article/279087/lrc_stuttgart_provides_transportation_support_to_visiting_u_s_paralympics_swimming_team>

“They got to meet us and we signed some autographs, and they asked us a lot of questions,” said Ahalya Lettenberger, a Glen Ellyn, Illinois, native competing in her second Paralympics. “That was really fun to inspire the next generation and remind ourselves what it’s all about and where we came from.”

There’s also been a tour of the Ritter Sport chocolate factory and museum — “We all bought a bunch of chocolate,” Lettenberger said — and other excursions off base to experience local culture. 

Of course, there’s also been training. Shattuck said they’ve had two practices a day at the pool — one in the morning and one in the evening — and have had access to the base gym in between. 

Yaseen El-Demerdash, a first-time Paralympian from Overland Park, Kansas, posted about the pool on his Instagram account. 

<Link to feature: https://www.usparaswimming.org/news/2024/august/22/from-classed-out-to-top-of-his-class-yaseen-el-demerdash-is-finally-headed-to-the-paralympics>

“It's by far the most fascinating and the most beautiful pool I've had the privilege of swimming in so far in my career,” he wrote. “I can’t think of a better place to finish prep for Paris!!” 

<Embed: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-3L_GKoT8p/>

The extended stay in Germany is helping the athletes adjust to the time zone difference, as well as get to know the coaching staff before they get into full competition mode. It’s also an opportunity to bond as the swim team before getting to the Paralympic Village and becoming part of the larger Team USA contingent.

By Thursday, Lettenberger said, the anticipation was clearly building. They were scheduled to leave for Paris early Saturday morning, with the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday Aug. 28 and competition beginning the next day. 

“I feel like (Thursday) was a turning point for a lot of people as far as their mindset,” said Lettenberger, who won silver in the 200-meter individual medley SM7 in Tokyo. “At the beginning of the week we’d just gotten here and it kind of didn’t feel real yet. It was training camp, and we knew we still had a week before anyone started racing. Once (Wednesday) hit and it was a week out from the Opening Ceremony that kind of woke people up. (Thursday) we’re a week out from some peoples’ races. I think now everyone’s getting excited, and obviously there are a lot of nerves and stress, too, competing in such a big meet.”

This is the second time that the U.S. Paralympic swim team has trained in Stuttgart prior to the Games, the last time coming in 2012 before going on to London.

Three years ago before Tokyo, this type of experience wasn’t possible.

Athletes were isolated trying to avoid exposure to COVID-19, and the Games were contested without spectators.

“(Now) you know you’re going to be in front of 10 or 15,000 people, including your family, and it’s hugely different,” Shattuck said. “I think people are definitely excited, and probably a little more nervous this time because it’s going to be so different from last time.”

Lettenberger agreed, noting that her parents, one of her brothers and extended family members will all be in Paris cheering her on.

“Already some people who’ve been to previous Games, London and Rio, have been telling us the first time you walk out on the pool deck to compete it’s one of the scariest and amazing feelings ever, hearing the roar of the crowd,” she said. “I’m super excited for that. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”

Karen Price is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for various publications. She is a freelance contributor to USParaSwimming.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.