Roundup: Lizzi Smith Shares Her Story In A New Film

Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para swimming. Here’s what you missed!

A Story Worth Sharing

Lizzi Smith is the subject of a new short film called “Swimming with Butterflies,” and she recently shared that it screened at the Austin Film Festival. She wrote, “Swimming with Butterflies dives deeper beyond the athlete version of me. We got to share the heart of what it means to be different and embracing it. It’s something I wish I’d seen growing up and I hope it reaches anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit. You are not just enough. You’re extraordinary.”

And be sure to check out the documentary and read more about the director and how the project came about in this feature story. 

Happy Halloween!

Want to check out just about the cutest Minnie Mouse you’ll ever see? Check out Mallory Weggemann and the family costumes this year:

And while you’re there, be sure to read what Weggemann had to say about Team Comcast and the support the company has offered her over the years, writing, “They have supported my athletic career, my dreams as a broadcaster and host and our vision for Watershed. They have shown up for me not just in my golden moments, but all my moments and there is nothing more empowering then being surrounded by people who believe in for you, not simply what you can achieve.”

But you’ll also want to check out Colleen Young and her couples costume over on her Insta page:

Weggemann Sharing About Journey

And speaking of Mallory Weggemann, she was featured in a recent story in the Minnesota Star Tribune in which she opened up about IVF and reproductive rights. You can read more:

Best DAM day

So what is the best DAM day of the DAM month? You’ll just have to check out Zach Shattuck’s post to find out!

Morgan Ray had something to say about the DAM day, too:

Hill ‘Redefined What It Means To Achieve Greatness’

World of Stories’ mission is to “create a safe space where people around the world can connect, inspire, and learn from each other — as if this world is one big school,” and the site is currently featuring Jamal Hill. The two-time Paralympian “encourages us all to embrace our unique strengths and live boldly.”

Bridging The Gap

Paralympic swimmer Rudy Garcia-Tolson was featured in a recent article in Indiana college newspaper The DePauw about bridging the gap between the Olympics and Paralympics. Check it out below:

Next Year’s Schedule Shaping Up

Four of the nine host cities for the 2025 and 2026 Para Swimming World Series schedules have now been confirmed. Lima, Peru, and Fuji-Shizuoka, Japan, will host meets for the first time ever, while Paris and Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy will once again be stops on the international circuit.

Said Craig Nicholson, head of World Para Swimming, “The inclusion of two new hosts in Japan and Peru, will provide exciting new opportunities and experiences for para swimmers, which will not stop there with more hosts to be confirmed soon.”

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.