Hannah Aspden

The Backstory:
Hannah Aspden was born with congenital hip disarticulation and has no left leg. She was introduced to swimming at age four and quickly demonstrated natural ability for the sport, entering the competitive world at age eight. In 2014 Aspden joined her first national team, and since then she has continued to represent Team USA. She became a two-time medalist at the age of 16 in the 2016 Paralympics, having earning bronze medals in both the 100 meter backstroke and the 4×100 medley relay. At the time, Aspden was the youngest member of Team USA to earn medals at the Olympic or Paralympic Games in Rio.

Away from swimming:
Aspden is studying Journalism and Digital Media at Queens University in Charlotte, NC, and is on track to graduate in 2022.

In their own words:
“When you’re in the water, it doesn’t really matter what you have or don’t have. I just wanted to do what other people were doing, and I didn’t think about the fact that I might have to do it a little bit differently.”

“I had been swimming for a summer team since I was five years old and had really enjoyed it. I loved the team and also personal aspects of it and had a lot of fun competing. I had tried a few other sports, but I felt much more comfortable and at home in the water.”

Learn more:
Team USA page
IPC Page
The News Observer: “Raleigh Paralympic swimmer: ‘ I don’t want to make any excuses’
Swimming World: “Queens Gets Verbal Commitment from Paralympic Medalist Hannah Aspden”