Skip to main content
12221
Back to International Paralympic Committee homepage Go to
Contrast:
High Contrast
Normal Contrast
Enlargement:
Larger Font Size
Default Font Size
Smaller Font Size
    • Home
    • News
    • Athletes
    • Schedule/Results
    • Tickets
    • Countries
    • Samsung Bloggers
    • Fan Zone
    • Watch
    • Sports
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram

    Rebecca Meyers reflects on Rio 2016 performance

    31.10.2016

    The US swimmer won three golds and one silver at Latin America’s first Paralympic Games.

    Upper body of a woman, raising her arms in the air The USA's Rebecca Meyers celebrates her gold medal in the women's 200m individual medley SM13 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. © • Wagner Meier
    By IPC
    Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker
    Related News
    Throwback Thursday: Argentina’s Susana Masciotra
    Tang reflects on surprise Rio 2016 swimming gold
    Brasil reviews his performance at Rio 2016
    Lima 2019 unveils Parapan Ams logo

    “I am still in shock for what I did in Rio"

    US swimmer Rebecca Meyers has said that her three golds and one silver medal from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games were a “shock” and that she exceeded her expectations by breaking two world records.

    The 21-year-old had already shown what she was capable of at last year’s IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, when she sealed two golds and one silver.

    “I am still in shock for what I did in Rio,” she said.

    “I was training to win one gold and hoped that I would podium in my other events. All of my hard work paid off and it was a dream come true!”

    In the lead-up to the Rio Games, Meyers knew she had to be in her best possible shape if she wanted to achieve her goals.

    “I focused on gaining speed, proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, and recovering properly. I got all best times in my events. It all paid off!” she said.

    Her maiden Paralympic title came in the 100m butterfly S13, on the second day of competition.

    “I was so excited to win my first-ever Paralympic gold medal and setting a world record in that event was a bonus!” she said.

    “My favorite memory of winning that event was receiving the medal on the podium and being able to hold it close to my ear and shake it! I was in awe to hear the noise it made. That was the best moment of the Games for me.”

    Meyers admits competing at London 2012 was fundamental to her gaining experience and maturing as an athlete.

    “The biggest lesson I learned in London is that anything is possible on race day. For example, I was seeded sixth in the 100m freestyle S13 and walked away with a bronze medal!” she explained.

    “It all comes down to the final race. I also learned that it is just another swim meet. I try to zone out the crowd and just race because I love to race.”

    Meyers does not hesitate when asked what her favourite three things from Rio 2016 were.

    “The unique feature of the medals for the blind and visually impaired athletes; shaking the medal to hear the different sounds each medal had,” she said.

    “Also being able to represent the USA at the Paralympic Games and that I got to meet so many athletes from so many countries. I became friends with a lot of the girls from my swimming classification.”

    Looking ahead to the next events, Meyers will take part in the 2017 World Para swimming Championships in Mexico City, from 30 September-7 October, and is hoping to enjoy another Paralympic experience in Tokyo, Japan, in four-years-time.

    “I am going to train very hard over the next four years and see what happens, but that is the goal!” she said.

    • Tweet
      • print
      • send
    LATEST NEWS
    Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation 05.08.2019 Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation
    Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude 05.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude
    Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day 04.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day
    Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way 03.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way
    Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month 02.08.2019 Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month
    More news...following the link
    Worldwide Paralympic Partners
    Go to Atos partner page
    Go to Bridgestone partner page
    Go to OttoBock partner page
    Go to Panasonic partner page
    Go to Samsung partner page
    Go to Toyota partner page
    Go to Visa partner page
    International Partners
    Go to Allianz partner page
    Go to BP partner page
    Go to Citi partner page
    • FAQ
    • Privacy
    • Imprint
    • Jobs
    Powered by Go to Atos. Worldwide IPC partner page
    The Paralympic Games
    Summer Games
    Winter Games
    Sochi 2014
    Rio 2016
    All the results & medallist since 1960
    Games video archive
    About the IPC
    Who we are
    Anti-Doping
    Medical
    Partners
    IPC Strategic Plan 2015-2018
    IPC Handbook
    Publications and Documents
    Media Centre
    News
    Features & Interviews
    The Paralympian
    Videos
    Athlete of the Month
    Media Office
    Sports
    Summer Sports
    Winter Sports
    Biographies
    NPCS
    Africa
    America
    Asia
    Europe
    Oceania
    Go to International Paralympic Committee homepage
    Official Website of the Paralympic Movement • IPC
    Homepage
    Paralympic Games
    The IPC
    Results, Ranking & Records
    Media Centre
    Videos
    Sports
    International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
    Adenauerallee 212-214, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Telephone: +49-228-2097-200 • Fax: +49-228-2097-209 • E-mail: [email protected]
    08:17:35