Susan Beth Scott
After a seven-medal performance at the 2007 Parapan American Games, Susan Beth Scott, at the age of 15, took a bold step in her preparation for the 2008 Paralympic Games by relocating to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., to train full-time. Under the direction of Jimi Flowers, Scott went to Beijing confident that she would be able to challenge for a medal. In her last event, the 400m freestyle S10, Scott touched ahead of fellow American Anna Eames to claim the bronze medal.
Scott began swimming at age nine. Her neighbors talked to her mother about involving her in swimming, which led to her taking part in local competitions. In 2006, she participated in her first major international event, representing the U.S. at the IPC Swimming World Championships, where she finished fourth in the 400m freestyle. In July 2008, Scott was nominated for an ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete with a Physical Disability.
Born with a tumor in her spine, which caused limited sensation in a part of her legs, Scott underwent surgery to remove tissue from her spinal cord. She enjoys creative writing, English and French classes and biology.
Major Achievements:
- 2008: Bronze medal, 400m Freestyle S10 - Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
- 2008: World record, 800m Freestyle - CanAm Championships, Victoria, British Columbia
- 2008: Nominated for an ESPY Award in the Best Female Athlete with a Physical Disability category
- 2007: First place, 400m Freestyle, 800m Freestyle - U.S. Paralympics Open Swimming Championships, College Park, Md.
- 2007: Gold medal, 400m Freestyle; six silver medals, 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 200m Individual Medley, 4x100m Freestyle relay, 4x100m Medley relay - Parapan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 2006: Fourth place, 400m Freestyle - IPC Swimming World Championships, Durban, South Africa
- 2006: First place, 200m Backstroke; second place, 100m Backstroke, 400m freestyle, 1500m Freestyle - U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships, San Antonio, Texas
- 2005: Pan American record, 50m Backstroke - U.S. Paralympics Open Swimming Championships, Minneapolis, Minn.
