As veteran sprinter Scout Bassett got set in her starting blocks at Saturday’s U.S Paralympics Team Trials, she knew she was down to her last chance to make the team that will compete at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
But last chances are something Bassett has some experience with.
The sprinter, who grew up in Harbor Springs, Michigan, was born in Nanjing, China. As an infant she lost her right leg in a chemical fire and spent the first eight years of her life in a government-run orphanage, where she was abused, starved and kept indoors. When she was adopted and moved to the United States, Bassett found another new home on the track when she turned 14 with the help of a grant provided by the Challenge Athletes Foundation.
At the trials, she reflected on that journey.
“This morning, I just woke up and I told myself that no matter what happens out here today, I’ve already won because I’ve overcome so much in my life, more than most people would ever be able to,” said Bassett.
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In this particular race, Bassett did not end up where she hoped. Noelle Lambert and Lindi Marcusen outran Bassett, with Marcusen smashing her own American record that she set the previous night with a time of 14.87 seconds.
While Bassett wanted a different result, she took pride in her performance of 16.15.
“To call myself a Paralympian, to have traveled the world lifting up people with disabilities is more than I think 14-year-old Scout could have ever dreamed of and hoped for, and I’m so proud of that.”
Bassett lined up on the blocks on Saturday as a Paralympic star and advocate. She finished fifth at the 2016 Games in the women’s 100 meters in her classification of T42 (a designation for athletes who have an above-the-knee amputation) and owns several world championship podium finishes.
She has also led the way in bridging the gap between the Paralympics and mainstream media. Bassett stars in several prominent advertising campaigns, including Nike’s “Unlimited” spots and Proctor and Gamble’s “Gold is Good” Olympic series. Her visibility has translated into a strong social media presence, and she has amassed more than 60,000 followers on Instagram alone.
Although Bassett’s time on the track for Team USA might be ending, her impact may only be growing. One area she is particularly focused on is gender equity in the Paralympics and this year she was named president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, where she can more directly engage with that issue. Bassett said she is enthusiastic that this opportunity will continue to open doors for athletes with disabilities, especially women.
“We don’t have equal events for women and hopefully, in my time at Women’s Sports Foundation, we can really help to change that and to show that there are many women athletes with disabilities out here competing and who deserve the same opportunities that the men have to compete.”
Even though Bassett did not qualify for the 2024 Paralympics, she is happy with what she has achieved. Parasports and the fan and media attention athletes with disabilities receive is much greater than when she first began competing.
“To leave a legacy where the space the sport is in a good place and you know that you’re helping others to get those same opportunities. So I’m truly just grateful for that.”