Goosebumps after Paralympics debut: "I'm tearful"

Everything revolves around medals in Paris. Ask only about Sweden's first Paralympic participants in 2024. I'm delighted. It's fantastic here, says swimmer Conrad Hildebrand after 100 meters butterfly stroke.

» Updated: September 03 2024

» Published: August 29 2024

Goosebumps after Paralympics debut: "I'm tearful"
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

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Hildebrand was the first of the Swedish Paralympians to compete in Paris. But there will be no final on the 100-meter backstroke, class S2, for the 29-year-old swimmer.

The Swede's time in the trials, 2:45.44, gave a ninth place overall. A time of 2:22.50 was required to reach the final as one of eight.

It doesn't matter that much. I knew it would be quite difficult to reach the final, says Hildebrand to SVT.

Just getting to make his Paralympic debut in front of a packed audience is a dream come true, he says.

Imagine the biggest concert you've ever been to, it feels exactly like that in here.

It's so fantastic here.

Conrad Hildebrand was a promising swimmer without a disability when, at the age of 16, he broke his neck in an accident at his high school in Stockholm.

I would always show off for everyone. And I would do a stylish parkour jump out of the window, Conrad Hildebrand has recounted in SVT's documentary "The Window that Changed Everything".

He became wheelchair-bound but later returned to swimming, but as a para-athlete.

Hildebrand will also compete in the 50 and 200-meter backstroke in Paris.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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