Local Para-Athlete Abbas Karimi will be part of the Paris 2024 U.S. Paralympics Swim Team
By Diana Hanford
GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – As part of Visit Lauderdale’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity on a global stage – the official destination marketing organization of Greater Fort Lauderdale – proudly announces its official partnership with the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team.
The Paralympic Games are an international, multi-sport competition for athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments. Partnering with the 2024 U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team exemplifies Visit Lauderdale’s mission to connect with “Everyone Under the Sun” and ensure that all people feel heard, supported, and welcomed in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
More than 4,000 para-athletes will compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympics starting in August. And, Visit Lauderdale’s newest ambassador, Abbas Karimi, will join them as part of the U.S. Paralympics Swim Team. Karimi was born in war-torn Afghanistan without arms. He learned to swim in the rivers of Kabul, and as his innate talent grew, he progressed to swimming in pools. Now, Karimi – a Greater Fort Lauderdale resident – trains six days a week at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.
“We are incredibly honored to support the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team. This has been a major year of activations, and we’re looking forward to taking our message of inclusivity and accessibility to an international sporting event. We are cheering for all the swimmers including Abbas Karimi, our hometown favorite, as he prepares to win a gold medal in Paris,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale.
“The partnership with Visit Lauderdale is an incredible opportunity to showcase the Team USA Paralympic swimming team to more fans across the nation,” said Erin Popovich, director of U.S. Paralympics Swimming. “Their commitment to inclusivity aligns deeply with our mission of bringing Para sport in front of more fans across America.”
Karimi will swim at the Paris Paralympics starting August 28 and will compete with athletes from around the world. Karimi has already earned six international medals, 25 national medals, and in 2023, he made Team USA for the World Para Swimming Championships in Portugal.
For more information on the U.S. Paralympics Swim Team, visit TeamUSA.com.
