Naperville resident Alyssa Gialamas will begin her quest for a spot on the paralympic team headed to Rio this summer as she competes in U.S. Paralympics Swimming Trials Thursday.
Gialamas is expected to swim in four events over the course of the trials. On Thursday, she will swim in the 200-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke.; On Friday, she will take on the 50-meter freestyle and on Saturday the 100-meter freestyle. Results for the Rio Paralympic Games swimming team are to be released on Sunday.
Born with arthrogryposis, a disorder that affects the movement of joints and muscles, Gialamas typically has issues with her jaws, knees and feet. She fell for swimming instantly at a young age and began competitive swimming at 15. At the age of 18, she represented Team USA in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, coming in fifth in the 200-meter freestyle.
Gialamas graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora and attends Loyola University in Maryland, where she swims under the guidance of coach Brian Loeffler. She is studying communications with a specialization in public relations.
The trials will not be televised, but coverage can be followed on social media through the U.S. Paralympics Facebook or Twitter @USParalympics for updates.
