Tucker Dupree is 21 years old, visually impaired athlete who has excelled in the sport of swimming. Tucker lost his vision at age 17 when he was diagnosed with a rare disease called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON).
Tucker, a gold medalist and world record holder, is one of the top blind swimmers in America holding a World Record in the 50m and 100m Butterfly, 33 American Records and 6 Pan-American Records.
Tucker continues to inspire everyone with his positive attitude and outlook on life. He is very determined who focuses on his ability and not his disability as he strives to achieve his goals.
Tucker qualified for the finals in the 200 IM with a time of 2:20.77 which is 5 seconds off of his best time. In the finals, Tucker set a new American Record finishing 5th with a time of 2:18.67. A new World Record was set by Maksym Veraksa from Ukraine with a time of 2:11.11. Tucker’s next race is on 17AUG which is the 100 Meter Butterfly where he is currently ranked 3rd in the world.
Above is a photo of the Pieter van den Hoogenband swimming stadium where Tucker will compete during the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Also check out this video as he prepares for competition.
The 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships is hosting over 600 athletes from 53 countries. This event is one of the largest sporting events in the world for people with a disability. Follow Tucker as he competes in the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships on August 15 to August 21, 2010 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
For more information about the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships, please visit www.wcswimming2010.com. Also check out Tucker on Paralymic Sport TV at this link: www.paralymicsporttv.com.
Tucker’s Schedule
- 15AUG: 200 Meter Individual Medley – Currently 5th in the world
- 17AUG: 100 Meter Butterfly – Currently 3rd in the world
- 18AUG: 50 Meter Freestyle – Currently tied for 2nd in the world
- 19AUG: 400 Meter Freestyle – Currently 2nd in the world
- 20AUG: 100 Meter Backstroke – Currently 1st in the world; 100 Meter Freestyle – Currenly 3rd in the world
Landed into Holland yesterday. Swam last night and I didn’t feel my best, but it is because of the long flight. I swam today and it felt a lot better. Tonight, during pratcice, I swam and broke the current 200 IM record and it felt amazing. So practice tomorrow in the AM and again in the PM and we will see if we can continue the process of feeling better.
Today I got to finish up the rest of my packing before I leave for World Championships and the Olympic Training Center on my return. I am getting super excited to see all of my teammates, get in the pool in Holland and open up some fast swims that I know I have in me. I fly out of RDU tomorrow at 12pm and land in Chicago at 1:30pm. I then fly out at 6pm with the team and land in Amsterdam at 9am. We then have a 2 hour drive to our hotel then off to the pool at 3pm. So I have a long 48 hours ahead of me. Wish me luck!!!
Tucker and the Big Apple….check out this article in the NY Times.
Paralympian Has Impaired Sight but Strong Focus on Success
What a great week. Just received this photo from a friend and wanted to share it with you all. On Monday, I got the opportunity to address the Eagle Ridge Swim Club, then I joined them in the pool for their swim practice. Spending time with this group brought back some great memories of when I started swimming competitively. What a great bunch of swimmers.
This just in…Read all about it….. Nice write up by The Associated Press
On June 21st, I was invited to speak at the Olympic Day Activity at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Wake Forest, NC. It was a special day for me as I was honored to share my story and experience as an Olympian. The Boys & Girls Clubs offers young people a range of fun and educational activities while providing a positive and safe environment where young people can connect with trained and caring staff and reach their goals.
To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs, visit wakebgc.org.
Photo by Corey Jenkins
Very exciting news, this amazing photo was taken by Corey Jenkins, a high school student at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh, NC, will be printed on t-shirts for the upcoming Senior Championships host by the Triangle Aquatics Center in Cary, July 22-25. These shirts will be given to all participants and available for sale to the general public. Check out Corey’s web site at www.coreyjenkinsphoto.com/.
Competition | Ken | 
08/15/2010 2:18 pm | 
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