Sydney Barta

The Background
Sydney Barta lost her leg at six years old due to metal scaffolding accident that left her left foot shattered. Shortly after the accident she developed compartment syndrome and a 105-degree fever. Barta had a total of 21 surgeries before she was fitted for her first prosthetic, and she hasn’t slowed down since. She participates in her high school’s varsity track team, basketball, and volleyball. Her focus narrowed when she spontaneously decided to enter in every track and field event at an adaptive sport meet in Indiana. Since then she has competed at the 2019 World Championships placing fourth in 200m, discus, and shotput. Barta has been staying focused and training hard for her shot at the upcoming Tokyo Games.

Away from the track
Barta has found her routine when it comes to balancing her social life, school, and Paralympic pursuit. She is currently a junior in high school and when she isn’t studying or training she’s teaching herself how to play guitar.

In their own words
“The way I balance it is that you have to love every part of the process, and I really do believe that. You have to love working into the wee hours of the morning, you have to love the pain – there have been so many nights that I’ve been icing my knees while I’m studying for a test the next day. I love that. That’s how I love living my life.”  

 “I just felt like to have that space and community that was meant for me and meant for people like me was so special and I needed to take advantage of it.”  

Learn More:
Team USA Page 
IPC Page
Team USA: “A Balancing Act: Sydney Barta Is Juggling Both High School and Achieving Her Paralympic Dream”