ParalympianPara Swimming

David Gelfand

Getty Images

news from athlete's sport

I Hope My Story Can Inspire Someone The Way Other Paralympians Have Inspired Me
I was eight years old when I heard of the Paralympics for the first time. I was competing at a swim meet when a few officials came over after my race to ask me if I participated in adaptive sports. I had no idea what the Paralympics were. So, I went ho...
Aug 31, 2023
Christie Raleigh Crossley’s Long Journey To The Olympics Could Instead Lead To The Paralympics
A former able-bodied swimming star, Raleigh Crossley is set to compete in this week’s Para swimming world championships.
Jul 29, 2023

Athlete Bio

David Gelfand prepares to jump into the water

Getty Images

Height

5'8"

Birthday

Oct 30, 1998

Hometown

Weston, CT

Education

Tufts University, Mechanical Engineering

classification: S9, SB8, SM9

Personal

Born with proximal femoral focal deficiency, a condition in which he was born with no hip socket and a very small bone comprising his left leg…Swims for Tufts University…Three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American…Son of Jonathan and Linda…Has one sister, Rachel…Enjoys swimming, hiking, biking, skiing, rock climbing and playing board games with friends…

Career Highlights

2019 World Para Swimming World Series Indianapolis, 1st (200 IM), 2nd (100 breaststroke, 400 freestyle), 3rd (100 freestyle, 100 backstroke)
2018 World Para Swimming World Series Indianapolis, 1st (100 butterfly, 400 freestyle, 200 IM), 4th (100 freestyle)