Paralympic Champion Tully Kearney Overcomes Memory Loss and Reclassification to Defend Titles

Tully Kearney, a ten-time world champion swimmer, will be defending her Paralympic titles in Paris, just two years after a head injury left her with no memory of her Tokyo triumphs. The 27-year-old athlete's journey to the Parisian Games has been a testament to resilience and unwavering determination.

Following the head injury sustained last year, Kearney faced an arduous 18-month battle to return to competitive swimming. The concussion syndrome she experienced was complex and debilitating, leading to a loss of motivation, a struggle with vertigo, and a complete absence of the joy she once found in the pool.

"After the accident, I had a really complex concussion syndrome," said Kearney. "I hadn't realised just how serious it was. It seemed quite trivial, but I'm more at risk because of my pre-existing brain injury. The vertigo meant I couldn't train, and that's what hit me hardest - the pool was always a happy place, and that really impacted my mental health too. I had to push through it and learn how to get that enjoyment back in training and competing."

Adding further complexity to her journey, Kearney was reclassified by World Para Swimming earlier this year, placing her in a category with less impaired athletes. This decision caused her significant distress, almost breaking her spirit. Kearney felt humiliated and insulted by the process and successfully appealed to remain in the S5 category for athletes with cerebral palsy.

Kearney's road to Paris has been filled with obstacles. Eight years ago, she was told she might never swim again after a shoulder injury prevented her from competing at the Rio Paralympics, despite being selected.

"There are many times that I've thought my dream was over, that I'd never get to the Paralympics," she said. "To finally win that gold medal in Tokyo was the realisation of so many hours of hard work and the support of all my friends and family."

Kearney's story is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary resilience that defines many Paralympic athletes. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, she has emerged stronger, determined to defend her hard-earned titles in Paris.