A star swimmer from Mobile has clinched her second Olympic berth.
Paige Madden, a silver medalist in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay at the 2021 Toyko Olympics, secured her spot on the Paris 2024 team last week at the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Indianapolis.
Due to COVID restrictions, Madden’s relatives were not able to attend the 2021 Tokyo Games. Madden said the prospect of seeing her family is what she’s looking forward to the most as she gears up to swim for an Olympic medal for the second time.
“I couldn’t be more excited. I wanted to try again for this Olympics because last Olympics my family could not come, there was not a crowd. We could not go to closing ceremonies, or other venues. I really wanted that authentic Olympic experience. I am really looking forward to that this time around,” she told Mobile television station NBC 15.
Madden will compete in the 200-, 400-, and 800-meter freestyle races in Paris.
“I’m really proud to represent Mobile,” she said. “I am so thankful to everyone that has reached out. The support has been overwhelming. I am just thankful that I have such a strong community having my back.”
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
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