New Hampshire athlete Victoria Arlen headed to Europe Wednesday in preparation for the Paralympics on August 29.
Victoria Arlen’s chances at a medal are pretty good. The Exeter High school senior broke two world records for competitive swimming at the Paralympics trial this past June. Arlen was an avid swimmer before an undiagnosed spinal inflammation put her in a vegetative state at age 11, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down.
Only three years after waking from her coma she broke records in the 100 and 400-meter freestyle, securing her place on the U.S. team.
Arlen’s coach, John Ogden describes her journey.
She’s heading to Stuttgart, Germany for their 10 day training.And what that does is get them used to the time change…They got a 50 meter pool, real good training facilities. And they’ll train there for 10 days and then head over to London about a day and a half before the opening ceremony. (15 sec)
Ogden won’t be joining Arlen in London, but he will be supporting her long distance.
I’ve written workouts for her for the whole time she’s gone… and one of the national coaches will be working with her if needed.
Arlen will be competing in the 50, 100 and 400-meter freestyle, as well as the 100 meter breaststroke.
