Tye Dutcher

The Backstory:
At age 11, Tye Dutcher was in a lawnmower accident, causing the amputation of his lower right leg. He loved being in the water before the accident, but his passion only grew after the accident. Olympic water polo player was his first dream, but he soon realized his potential as a swimmer. Dutcher excelled at swimming in high school and after he graduated, he continued to succeed. He started training for the 2016 Paralympics at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, qualifying for the 2016 Paralympic Games a year later. In 2017 he competed and earned a bronze medal at the World Championships in 100m medley relay. Dutcher will be achieving his long-time dream as he competes in Tokyo.

Away from swimming:
Dutcher graduated from DeVry University in 2019 where he studied small business management, entrepreneurship, and cyber security. When he isn’t in the pool, he works as a barista at Dutch Bros Coffee with aspirations to rise up the ranks, as well as expand into the worlds of coaching and motivational speaking. Whether it’s through a cup of coffee or making someone smile from a prank, he loves to serve the community around him.

In their own words:
“If I can at least inspire one person in my life, then I know that I’ve achieved success,”

The one thing he wants people to take away from watching him is, “That I love Jesus,” he said. “That I’m a man of faith. That whatever I’m doing in my life, wherever I’m at, whatever I say, that it’s just for the glory of God … when I get on the block and when the buzzer goes, that I’m swimming my race for Christ and to further whatever he wants me to further in this life and bring others to him. That’s all it is.”

“My goal is to be on that podium, 100% and this extra year of training from COVID has been the biggest blessing in disguise for me.”

Learn More
Team USA Page
IPC Page
Team USA: “Swimming Career Was Never The Goal For Tye Dutcher”