BOISE, Idaho — As the Olympic Games wrap up in Paris, the city isn't resting. In just a few short weeks, hundreds more athletes will fill the Olympic Village ahead of the Paralympic Games, including at least three athletes with Idaho ties.
Annie Carey
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
College: Mount St. Mary's University
Classification: T44
19-year-old Annie Carey graduated from Bishop Kelly High School in 2023 and recently finished her freshman year at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland.
During her freshman season, she participated in nine meets for the Mountaineers. She qualified for the Metro Athletic Atlantic Conference Outdoor Championship in the long jump, where she set a personal best of 15' 8.75".
Carey is no stranger to the international stage. In 2023, she took part in the Parapan American Games in Chile, where she took home the bronze in the long jump.
In 2022, she broke the American record three times in the women's T44 long jump to win the national title.
In July, she qualified to represent Team USA in the Paralympic games and broke the world record in the T44 long jump.
She qualified in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and long jump. Her full schedule is here.
UPDATE:
Carey finished 6th in the women's T46 long jump competition. She also broke the Paralympics record in the event with a 4.96 jump.
Roderick Townsend
Hometown: Stockton, California
College: Boise State University
Classification: T46/F46
32-year-old Roderick Townsend is getting ready to compete in his third Paralympic Games.
Townsend competed at Boise State as a decathlete between 2012 and 2015, where he earned five All-Mountain West Conference awards and clinched conference titles in both the high jump and indoor heptathlon.
In 2016, he won two gold medals in both the long jump and high jump, setting Paralympic records in both. He also finished fifth in the 100m.
In 2020, Townsend competed at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where he earned his second gold medal in the high jump, as well as a silver medal in the long jump.
At the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, Roderick is set to compete in the T47 high jump.
Lindi Marcusen
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
College: Brigham Young University-Idaho
Classification: T63
Lindi Marcusen grew up very active, competing in gymnastics, and later in body-building competitions in college, according to Team USA.
Marcusen is the 2024 National champion in the 100-meter T63, where she broke the American record.
She will compete in the 100-meter dash.
The Paralympic Games take place from August 28 to September 8 in Paris.
Do you know of an athlete with Idaho ties who will compete in the 2024 Paralympics that we may have missed? Please send us an email!