Blind Navy Lieutenant Sets Paralympic Record

Navy Lieutenant Sets Paralympic Record
Sep 04, 2012
American Forces Press Service
by Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

WASHINGTON – The United States had the Olympic performance of Baltimore native Michael Phelps to celebrate last month, and now the nation can rejoice in the dominating performance of U.S. Paralympic swimmer Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder.

Snyder carried over his strong performance in June’s U.S. swimming trials by setting a Paralympic record in his qualifying event here Aug. 31 for the 100-meter freestyle and earning a gold medal in the final round.

“It's really crazy. … It's really loud in here,” Snyder said following his record-setting qualifying swim. “It's exciting. We were able to go out and do what we were wanting to do. I was pretty happy to go out and get the time I got tonight.”

After Snyder swam the 100-meter freestyle in 57.18 seconds to set the Paralympic record, he reflected on the feeling of stepping out in front a huge crowd to represent the United States, saying it was “a huge comfort” getting into the water. “I've never walked out in front of this many people,” he said.

“[It's] very crazy, and a lot of excitement. The second I hit the pool, it felt natural again. It felt like I was in my zone, so it felt really good.”

The Navy lieutenant, who was blinded while attempting to disable an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on Sept. 7, 2011, will now face what he considers his flagship event on the anniversary of the accident.

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