Aug 28, 2024; Paris, France; Sitting Volleyball athlete Nicole Nieves USA carries the national flag of the United States of America in the Parade of Athletes during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games at Place de la Concorde. Credit: OIS/Adrian Dennis via Imagn Images
What a remarkable year for the Paralympic movement! For the first time in Games history, all 22 sports received live coverage, an increase from the 19 sports featured during Tokyo 2020. This milestone marked the first-ever live broadcasts for Para badminton, Para powerlifting, and shooting Para sport. Investments and viewership surged, with U.S. ad sales growing by over 60% compared to Tokyo. The International Paralympic Committee also confirmed more than 2 million tickets were sold for the Paris Games before the Opening Ceremonies.
We collectively fell in love with the OLY-PLY power couple Tara Davis Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall — a golden love story that captured hearts and boosted fan engagement across both the Olympics and Paralympics. Additionally, for the first time in history, NBC featured disabled broadcasters, including TV host Sophie Morgan, in their Paralympic coverage. Team USA made history as well, with Sarah Adam becoming the first female U.S. wheelchair rugby Paralympian.
Our Parity athletes embraced the spirit of these historic Games, with twenty of our thirty-two athletes earning Paralympic medals. Here’s the full list of this year’s Parity athlete medalists:
- Allysa Seely – Triathlon (USA), Bronze
Allysa's third consecutive Paralympic Games saw her claim bronze, adding to her previous golds and showcasing her resilience and enduring excellence in the sport.
- Bailey Moody – Wheelchair Basketball (USA), Silver
Bailey's first Paralympic medal came in a hard-fought silver finish, solidifying her role as a rising star in U.S. wheelchair basketball.
- Bethany Zummo – Sitting Volleyball (USA), Gold
Bethany secured her second Paralympic gold, further establishing her as a cornerstone of Team USA’s sitting volleyball success.
- Brittni Mason – Track and Field (USA), 2 Silvers
Brittni’s two silvers highlighted her versatility across both sprint and long jump events, marking a remarkable return to form after injury.
- Christie Raleigh Crossley – Swimming (USA), 2 Golds, 2 Silvers, 1 Bronze
In their Paralympic debut, Christie dazzled with five medals, becoming one of the breakout stars in the pool with their standout performances.
Aug 29, 2024; Paris, France; Christie Raleigh-Crossley (USA) celebrates with family after winning the silver medal for the para swimming womenís 50m freestyle - S10 during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games at La Defense Arena. Credit: OIS/Louise Raymond via Imagn Images
- Courtney Ryan – Wheelchair Basketball (USA), Silver
Courtney led Team USA to silver in her second Paralympic appearance, continuing to be a crucial leader on the court.
- Emma Schieck – Sitting Volleyball (USA), Gold
Emma helped defend Team USA’s Paralympic title, winning her second consecutive gold in sitting volleyball.
- Eva Houston – Track and Field (USA), Bronze
Eva’s remarkable comeback from injury culminated in a bronze medal, proving her resilience and determination to shine on the world stage.
- Jaleen Roberts – Track and Field (USA), 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Jaleen continued her medal-winning form from previous Games, adding silver in the 100m sprint and bronze in long jump to her collection.
Aug 30, 2024; Paris, France; Jaleen Roberts during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games at State de France Venue. Credit: Avery Bane-USA TODAY
- Kaleo Kanhele Maclay – Sitting Volleyball (USA), Gold
Kaleo’s leadership and experience were pivotal in Team USA’s successful defense of their gold medal, marking her as one of the sport’s legends.
- Kate Brim – Hand Cycling (USA), 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
In her Paralympic debut, Kate stormed to gold in the road race and added a bronze in the time trial, making an immediate impact on the global stage.
- Kaitlyn Eaton – Wheelchair Basketball (USA), Silver
Kaitlyn was instrumental in the team’s silver finish, showcasing her defensive prowess and strategic thinking throughout the tournament.
- Liza Corso – Track and Field (USA), Bronze
Liza earned bronze in the 1500m in her Paralympic debut, marking her as a promising talent in middle-distance events.
Aug 31, 2024; Paris, France; Liza Corso wins Bronze in the Women’s 1500m T13 Finals during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games at the Stade de France. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Beatty-USA TODAY
- Lora Webster – Sitting Volleyball (USA), Gold
Lora added another gold to her impressive Paralympic resume, continuing her reign as one of the sport’s most decorated athletes.
- Monique Matthews – Sitting Volleyball (USA), Gold
Monique was key to Team USA’s gold medal victory, further strengthening her position as a top player in sitting volleyball.
- Morgan Stickney – Swimming (USA), 1 Gold, 1 Silver
Morgan’s gold and silver medals were hard-fought victories, representing her remarkable comeback after overcoming multiple surgeries and challenges.
- Nicky Nieves – Sitting Volleyball (USA), Gold
Nicky helped anchor Team USA’s defense en route to their gold medal, extending her undefeated streak in Paralympic competition.
- Noelle Malkamaki – Track and Field (USA), Gold
Noelle’s Paralympic debut culminated in a stunning gold in shot put, cementing her as one of the most exciting new athletes in the field.
- Samantha Bosco – Cycling (USA), Gold
Samantha's gold in the time trial was a momentous achievement in her second Paralympic appearance, highlighting her rise to the top of the cycling world.
- Whitney Dosty – Sitting Volleyball (USA), Gold
In her first Paralympic Games, Whitney contributed significantly to Team USA’s gold medal, showcasing her adaptability and rapid rise in the sport.
About Parity
Minority-founded in 2020, Parity is a sports marketing and sponsorship platform dedicated to closing the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports. By developing high-impact collaborations between brands, professional women athletes and their fans, Parity has proudly put millions in the pockets of women athletes, attracting dozens of brands – from Microsoft® to Morgan Stanley® – to the movement in the process. The platform offers connections to more than 1,000 women athletes from 80+ sports, including over 250 Olympians and Paralympians. For more information on how to tap into the rapidly rising influence and popularity of women athletes, visit https://paritynow.co or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
