Schools
Exeter's Victoria Arlen Wins Gold in London Paralympics
In her final race of the competition, the Exeter High student rose above the rest.
Exeter's Victoria Arlen today earned a gold medal in the 2012 London Paralympics.
Arlen, who already captured three silver medals, swam to a first-place finish in today's 100-meter freestyle, according to the Telegraph of London.
"This was the last race, and I always say ‘last one, fast one,’ and I wanted to go out all out and shoot for the gold and that is what I did," Arlen told the Telegraph.
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Arlen, 17, attends Exeter High School. She was cleared to race in London after a regarding the extent of her disability. Arlen is paralyzed from the waist down after she was afflicted by the spinal cord disease transverse myelitis.
The International Paralympic Committee ruled last week that Arlen was not disabled enough to participate in the Paralympics. The ruling was reversed, however, after U.S. officials appealed the ruling.
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“I came close to losing my life so whatever happened here, it is a blessing to complete the journey," Arlen told the Telegraph. "I thank God for it."
Arlen won silver medals in the 50-meter freestyle, the 400-meter freestyle, and the 4 X 100-meter freestyle relay.
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