FINIS, a world leader in technical swimming products, announces the sponsorship of Paralympian, Mallory Weggemann.
Mallory Weggemann, FINIS Athlete
Weggemann is a current member of the 2013 National Team and was a member of the 2012 United States Paralympic Team in London, where she won gold in the Women’s 50m Freestyle (S8) and bronze in the Women’s 34 point 4×100 Medley Relay. She currently trains with Mike Parratto at the Rip Tide Swim Team in Minnesota and has her sights set on the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
On January 21, 2008 Weggemann went into a clinic to receive an epidural injection to help treat back pain she had been experiencing. She was left paralyzed as a result of the procedure. Less than four months later, Weggemann visited the 2008 Paralympic Swimming Trials as a spectator. It was here that she made the decision to return to the pool, “I have always loved the sport but when this happened I thought my days of swimming were over and when I realized I could still do it, well, I will never forget that moment.”
Weggemann had a standout performance at the 2009 Can-Am Meet in Edmonton, where she broke her first three world records. She then went on to break another six world records at the 2009 Short Course IPC World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, which solidified her return to the pool. At the 2010 IPC World Championships, Mallory Weggemann claimed her spot among the top of her sport, earning a total of eight gold medals and breaking nine world records. Following her 2010 World Championships performance, Weggemann was recognized for her outstanding achievements by winning the 2011 ESPN ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete with a Disability. On the world’s biggest stage in London, just days after being reclassified by the International Paralympic Committee, Weggemann showcased her ability to overcome adversity once again by winning the 50m Freestyle (S8) in a new Paralympic record.
When asked about Weggemann’s recent success and her new relationship with FINIS, President John Mix said:
Mallory Weggemann at the Women’s Sports Foundation Awards Dinner.
“We are extremely lucky to have such an incredible swimmer join our team. It would be enough if all she did were win gold medals and set world records, but this young woman is so remarkable on her own. Her drive, her will to succeed, to overcome adversity; we can all learn a lot from Mallory Weggemann.”
Weggemann shares the same enthusiasm as Mix regarding her new partnership with FINIS:
“I am so incredibly honored to become a member of the FINIS team as I head into the 2016 Paralympic Games. London was an absolute dream come true for me but I know my career doesn’t end there, I have so much more left to do in the sport of swimming and I am so incredibly excited for the journey ahead and I am proud to be partnered with FINIS for this next phase in my athletic career. London was just the start of what I hope to do in the world of swimming.”
Visit Mallory Weggemann’s athlete page here. http://www.finisinc.com/athletes/mallory-weggemann
Or visit Weggemann’s site at: http://www.malloryweggemannusa.com/
Founded in 1993 in Northern California, FINIS was started by John Mix and Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer Pablo Morales. The Monofin and the Swimmer’s Snorkel were the first products they developed for the US market; afterwards, they continued to focus on creating training tools for swimmers and coaches worldwide. FINIS products are currently available in over 65 countries and are used by US and International Olympic teams, elite triathletes, and fitness swimmers.
Innovative research and design is FINIS’ highest priority. This dedication has resulted in truly unique products such as: the Swimmer’s Snorkel, which is recognized as the paramount tool to improve a swimmer’s technique, the Neptune MP3 that uses bone conduction technology to play music instead of using ear buds, and the Z2 Zoomers fins, which demonstrate an intimate understanding of swimming musculature, hydrodynamics, and engineering.
Visit the FINIS Blog at http://www.finisinc.com/blog/
This release is courtesy of FINIS, a SwimSwam Partner.