Team USA Paralympian McKenzie Coan won silver in the S7 400-meter freestyle in Paris on Monday. It was the first of four swimming events she’s competing in this year at the Paralympic Games.
It was a 1-2 punch for Team USA as Morgan Stickney defended her title, taking the gold by a stunning 17 seconds and setting a Paralympic record time of 4:53.88.
1-2 TEAM USA 🇺🇸@morganstickney9 and @McKenzie_Coan secure Paralympic gold and silver in the 400m freestyle S7!
📺: @USANetwork & @peacock #ParisParalympics
pic.twitter.com/tOb36H3YnM— Team USA (@TeamUSA) September 2, 2024
After her win, Coan was overcome with emotion as she spoke with NBC Sports.
“I had a lot of fun out there. This has been, like, the hardest year of my life by far, and there were a lot of times when I didn’t think I would be back. So, I’m just really grateful to be out there with Morgan and Ahalya and do this for my country.”
With her silver medal in the women’s 400m freestyle S7, McKenzie Coan gets her SEVENTH Paralympic medal. #ParisParalympics pic.twitter.com/xCBlBnyz6Y
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) September 2, 2024
In July 2023, Coan withdrew from the World Championships after a health setback with Bell’s Palsy. In announcing her decision to medically withdraw, Coan called her partial paralysis “the setback that paved the way for a comeback.” And it did.
Seven-time medalist
During the medal ceremony on Monday, Coan and Stickney stood waving at family and friends from the podium. Afterward, Coan told reporters, “It’s incredible to be able to hear that anthem and know all of your hard work has paid off,” she said. “It’s something that’s very special that no one can ever take.”
This duo ❤️@morganstickney9 and @McKenzie_Coan secure Paralympic gold and silver for Team USA in the 400m freestyle S7!#ParisParalympics pic.twitter.com/idqzU2brrG
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) September 2, 2024
The 28-year-old Coan is now a seven-time medalist, having earned four gold and three silver medals since her 2012 Paralympic debut in London. Next up, she’s scheduled to compete in the S7 100-meter freestyle on Sept. 4, the S8 50-meter freestyle on Sept. 5, and the S7 50-meter butterfly on Sept. 7.
The Paralympic Games are being carried live on NBC’s Peacock streaming service. You can also follow McKenzie’s progress on NowHabersham.com sports and through the International Paralympic Committee website.
