Smith and Crossley Win Gold on a Record-Breaking Night at Paris 2024

PARIS – Christie Raleigh Crossley (Toms River, New Jersey) and Leanne Smith (Salem, Massachusetts) each broke records and scored their second gold medals of Paris 2024 at the Paris La Defense Arena on Friday. Two first-time Paralympians won medals for Team USA as Alexandra Truwit (Darien, Connecticut) took her second straight silver and  Noah Jaffe (Carlsbad, California) closed out the evening in silver medal fashion in the men’s 100-meter freestyle S8.

Crossley has enjoyed quite a Paralympic debut in Paris with three medals coming into her final individual event tonight. She added a second gold medal in her favorite race, the women’s 100-meter butterfly S9, on Friday, to bring her medal count to four.

Crossley broke the Paralympic record in the process, shaving more than a second off the previous time, and finishing the race in 1:05.19. “It feels awesome. I definitely didn’t know I could go that fast so I’m just really, really excited about it. It was a fun swim,” Crossley said.

She enjoyed her second opportunity atop the medal stand on Friday in Paris. “There is nothing more incredible than listening to your national anthem play as the stars and stripes rise to the ceiling. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid and to have it actually happen is absolutely incredible,” she said.

Competing in her first Paralympic Games, Crossley knows that it’s bigger than just her. “You’re not out here just swimming for yourself, you’re swimming for your nation, and you want to make everyone back home proud of you so there is no greater honor in my opinion than being able to stand on that podium in the red, white and blue.”

The 100-meter butterfly was Crossley’s final individual event of Paris 2024.

Smith swam in her final race of what has been an exceptional Games for the two-time Paralympian. She added a second gold medal to her resume in the women’s 50-meter freestyle S4 and broke her own women’s 50-meter freestyle S3 world record with a time of 40.03.

She was surprised to learn that she won gold when she was exiting the pool. “I’m in a bit of shock right now. I didn’t even know until I swam to the side of the pool and my coach was pulling me out. I thought he was kidding with me. I can’t see the scoreboard from in the water so I truly had no idea,” Smith said. “I know it was a close race into the wall. I truly am in a state of shock.”

She not only won gold in the event she viewed as a fun race but also broke her own world record on Friday. “It’s amazing to lower my own world record or set that and win a bonus gold in an event that I was really just doing for fun. I’m beyond proud to finish that way and earn another medal for Team USA,” Smith said.

It’s been quite the journey for Truwit over the last year as she’s worked to process what she’s accomplished shortly after her second silver medal win. 

“It’s surreal. It’s hard to put it into words. Especially when I open up my camera roll and look back at the photos from a year ago today where there’s fear all over my face learning to take my first steps in a prosthetic leg to now where I’m walking out in front of a crowd of thousands and thousands of people and walking away with another silver medal. It’s just a moment that’s hard to comprehend honestly but makes me feel proud of myself for the way I’ve faced this recovery and so grateful for the mountain of support that’s gotten me to where I am,” Truwit said.

She continues to be thankful that she found Paralympic sport amid her recovery. “I’m new to the Paralympic Movement and am grateful to be a part of it right now. I think learning from athletes around me, shows me and everyone else in the world what athletes and individuals with disabilities are capable of. It’s an incredible thing that this Movement is doing and advocating for inclusivity is an incredible thing to be a part of,” she said.

Truwit has completed her slate of Paris 2024 events.

Jaffe swam an exceptional race, setting a new American record and just missing gold by .03 of a second. The final seconds were electric as they came down the lane in the last 50 meters. “I wasn’t really sure where I was. I knew I was slightly behind so I was just trying to catch back up.  It was definitely a really intense race. I was really thinking about a set we do, the 24, 25s all out. I was thinking I’ve done the training so I can hold on and push through the pain,” Jaffe said of the final stretch.

The silver is Jaffe’s first Paralympic medal and it was extremely important to him to get in on the podium. “I wasn’t sure on the color, but I saw the block light up and just seeing that in front of my lane. I was just so ecstatic. I was fourth the other day and I really wanted to be up there today. It was a huge relief to see that. I’m proud to contribute to Team USA’s medals,” said Jaffe.

Hewill be back in the pool on Saturday for the men’s 100-meter butterfly S8.

Lizzi Smith (Muncie, Indiana) closed out her third Paralympic Games in Friday’s women’s 100-meter butterfly final, placing sixth with a 1:09.32 time.

Abbas Karimi (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) completed his Paris 2024 competition schedule on Friday, finishing just out of the men’s 50-meter butterfly event final in ninth place with a 38.37 time.

Taylor Winnett (Hershey, Pennsylvania) competed in her second of three straight days of action in Paris, swimming in the women’s 100-meter backstroke S10. Winnett placed 10th and will return on the final day of Paris 2024 in the women’s 200-meter individual medley SM10. 

Yaseen El-Demerdash (Overland Park, Kansas) swam in his final race of Paris 2024 on Friday morning at Paris La Defense Arena. He placed ninth, less than two-tenths of a second out of the event final. The 2024 Paralympics were the first for El-Demerdash.

Matthew Torres (Ansonia, Connecticut) placed 15th in the men’s 100-meter freestyle S8 with a time of 1:01.81. He has now completed his Paris 2024 competition schedule.

Team USA Medals

Christie Raleigh Crossley, gold, women’s 100-meter butterfly S9

Leanne Smith, gold, women’s 50-meter freestyle S4

Alexandra Truwit, silver, women’s 100-meter backstroke S10

Noah Jaffe, men’s 100-meter freestyle

Other Team USA Results:

Abbas Karimi, 9th, men’s 50-meter butterfly S5

Taylor Winnett, 10th, women’s 100-meter backstroke S10

Yaseen El-Demerdash, 9th, men’s 100-meter backstroke S10

Matthew Torres, 15th, men’s 100-meter freestyle S8

Lizzi Smith, 6th, women’s 100-meter butterfly S9