Sarah Adam, an assistant professor at Saint Louis University, has become the first woman to be named to the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team. Adam, who teaches occupational science and therapy, joins the team as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Head Coach Joe Delagrave expressed enthusiasm about the team’s roster: “We are incredibly excited about our Paris 2024 Paralympic Roster,” he stated. Delagrave looks forward to finalizing preparations for what he anticipates will be a highly competitive event.
Since wheelchair rugby’s debut in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, only five women have competed in this sport at such a level. Bernard Rousseau from SLU’s Doisy College of Health Sciences congratulated Adam on her historic achievement. “The Doisy College of Health Sciences is extremely proud and excited to watch Dr. Adam make history,” Rousseau remarked.
Adam began playing wheelchair rugby in 2019 and made her international debut at the Americas Championship in 2022, where she helped secure a gold medal for her team. In 2023, she contributed to winning gold at the Parapan American Games, earning a spot for USA Wheelchair Rugby in Paris 2024.
Describing her playing style as “cerebral,” Adam views wheelchair rugby strategically, likening it to chess and planning multiple moves ahead of opponents. She hopes that an upcoming documentary on her team’s journey will inspire others and highlight adaptive sports.
“It’s really neat to break down barriers,” said Adam in an interview with Team USA. She emphasized that passion for a sport should not be limited by its physical demands or male dominance, asserting that opportunities exist for everyone across various sports disciplines.
