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Tucker Dupree is 25 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, 43 American Records and 9 Pan-American Records. Tucker represented Team USA in the 2008 Beijing and the 2012 London Paralympic Games. At the 2012 London Paralympic Games, Tucker brought home a Silver Medal in the 100 Meter Backstroke and Bronze Medals in the 50 Meter Freestyle and 100 Meter Freestyle.

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.


Blog Postings

Dupree Sets New World Record in Berlin

Tucker set a new world record in the 50 Meter Backstroke with a time of 28.07 at the 2014 German Open, Berlin Germany.

2014 Berlin

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Selected for 2014 Pan-Pacific Para Swimming Championships

It is a honor to announce that I was named to the 2014 Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Team. It was a great trip to Miami a couple of weeks ago to be able to swim fast enough to race my way on to the team. It is a true honor to be able to put on the Team USA uniform and compete against the world. It is always a honor to be able to not only represent my country, but being able to represent the people with disabilities. Paralympics has given me a platform to be able to travel the world and show everyone what you can do when faced with adversity. I am more then happy to be able to do this and with the great support system I have behind me. I couldn’t make it happen with out everyone that has helped me get to where I am today.

 

I leave for the British and German Open in 5 days! Stay tuned to see how it goes and make sure to follow me on twitter for updates.

 

2014 Spring Can-American – March 27-29

1619531_10153950750510223_1742458903_nIt was very fun to leave Detroit and fly down to Miami, Florida. The Michigan weather was starting to make my southern blood get infused with ice. The trip down to Florida was a great way to swim and taw out the blood. I wasn’t fully rested so I could save that for the two meets I am going to be swimming in Scotland and Berlin. It was still a great opportunity to race and feel good swimming outside. I only competed in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke as well. Swimming backstroke in the prelims was tough from the fact that the sun was in the little vision that I have making it hard to see. I won all three events and got to race in a great pool and catch up with some great people as well. All in all it was a great week away from Michigan and soaking up some sunshine.

Nicholas John Yaksich Scholarship

Last night I had the great opportunity to attend the Rehabilitation Institute Of Michigan Foundation Gala. I was one of 5 Recipients of the Nicholas John Yaksich Scholarship. It was such a stellar night at the Fox Theatre in Downtown Detroit. There were so many great awards presented to so many courageous people and It was a true honor to be amongst their company. It is such a great Gala for the fact that it is a chase for people to donate money to the RIM foundation that helps people around the community with coping with their disabilities and their everyday lives.

Dean’s List!

Making the decision to go back to school after the London games was something I didn’t know how I was going to balance training and making good grades. I got the great opportunity to use the partnership with the USOC and DeVry University. I have been really pleased with how great the online program works out with my traveling and swimming. It has such great flexibility and if there is Wi-Fi I am good to go. I am very excited to write about how I just got notification of making the Dean’s list this past semester. I had a 4.0 grade point average. I am heading in this same direction this semester as well. It is so nice to be back in school with a focus as a Communications major and a minor in emerging technology. Now I can travel the world and finish school in the process.

Gearing up for the Year

Seeing all of the commercials for this year’s winter Olympics in Sochi Russia, really makes me think of 2012. How hard I had to work the 4 years leading up to the games, moving from Colorado to Michigan, and just going to the games and unleashing the fury. I am so excited to see the USA show what they all have worked so hard for the past 4 years and put on a great show for the whole world to see. Shout out to all of the 2014 team USA, as you get ready for the fun to unravel this weekend. Let’s go get the most hardware that we can.

Training is going great right now. I am really trying to get the body up and ready for a very jammed packed year of fast racing and travelling. In the next 4 months I will be in Miami Florida, Glasgow Scotland, Berlin Germany, Cincinnati Ohio, and that is just leading into the summer. At this point of my season it is just pushing my body to the limit. That way when I am living out of a suitcase for 4 months, my body is ready to race fast and enjoy doing it. Hopefully when I get to December, I will be able to look at the base I have put down this whole year and be ready to set up a great next 2 years going into 2015.

Sunset Ridge Elementary

It was awesome getting to speak to Miss Nelson’s class a couple weeks ago. I wish I could have done this in person, but my schedule isn’t always flexible with school and training. I have known Miss Nelson since 2009 and swam with her over a summer in North Carolina and she reached out to me to talk and share my story with her class. I got a HUGE envelope from her last week full of great thank you cards with great illustrations of medals and swimming pools. Thanks for the cards and the opportunity to peak to all of you guys. Don’t let Miss Nelson be too mean to you guys, if she is let me know!

Bailey Lake Elementary

I had the great pleasure of speaking to the 4th grade class at Bailey Lake Elementary for their Disability Awareness Day. I put together some great pictures to show the kids I am just like they are on the outside and grew up the same path of a 4th grader all the way up to the age of 17. I got the opportunity to answer some great questions and hopefully show them just how much you can do if you chase your dreams. It was nice to be able to talk to them one-on-one and sign autographs after speaking as well. A great group of kids and lots of fun to educate and inspire.

Athletes with a Disability Hall of Fame Dinner 2013

On Thursday, October 24, I got the great opportunity to be a part of a great night that recognizes courage, perseverance and athletes showcasing their abilities and not their disabilities. I was a 3 time returning alumni from my 2011 induction into the Hall of Fame. It was a great night to reconnect with several friends that I know through the Paralympics and seeing new up and coming talent. The event was held a place called – Sound Board the Motor City Casino, a Four Diamond Award-Winning venue in downtown Detroit. The venue was a great backdrop for the wonderful event, but also made the inductee’s feel the in the lime light for honoring their successes and talents. It was an honor to share this night with friends and seeing familiar faces of the disabled communities here in Michigan.

Oakland Live Wires Swim Meet & Training

It’s been nice being able to ease back into the pool after my performance at World Championships this past summer. The past two months have been great and now it time to get back to work and prepare my body for the upcoming season. This past weekend I got the opportunity to dust the dust off the racing suits and see where I am in my training and compete in a local Oakland Live Wires Swim Meet. Although I didn’t break any records, it was nice to try out some different race strategies as well as a new type of shoulder driven freestyle. It was promising and I am ready for more training and getting into the racing season.

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