As the concluding week of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games commences, the United States is poised to enhance its medal tally, which currently stands at 45, including 15 gold medals. Notably, the first gold medal secured by the United States in this Paralympic competition was won by swimmer Gia Pergolini, who engaged with Scripps News to discuss her remarkable journey in the realm of Para athletics and the exhilarating experience of standing atop the podium alone.

Gia Pergolini triumphed in the women’s 100-meter backstroke S13 event, and merely two days later, she added a silver medal to her accomplishments in the 50-meter freestyle race. Reflecting on her achievements, Pergolini described the entire experience as “so unreal.”

In her conversation, Pergolini expressed her intense ambition, stating, “It was amazing. I was well aware prior to the competition that I had a significant chance of being the United States’ first gold medalist, and I deeply desired that honor. Observing the Olympians excel during the preceding Olympics with their gold and medal counts inspired me. I aspired to mirror that success and I am sincerely pleased to have contributed to my country in this manner.”

When questioned about her mental state just before the commencement of her race, Pergolini revealed that she experienced a moment of mental stillness as adrenaline surged through her. “In that instant, I blacked out,” she recounted. “During my 100 backstroke, I could hear my family cheering in the stands, and that was my sole focus. Their support fueled my determination, and I shifted into ‘autopilot.’ I reassured myself, thinking, ‘You can do this. You know your body is capable of achieving what you came here to accomplish, which is winning the gold.’”

For those interested, a complete interview with Paralympian Gia Pergolini is available via the video player provided above.

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