The 2024 Paralympic Games kicked off in Paris on Wednesday, and will run through next Sunday, Sept. 8 with 22 sports being contested across the week and a half.

One sport is of particular interest for residents of Hampshire County and Easthampton.

Saige Harper, who grew up in Easthampton, was selected earlier this year to compete in the Paralympic Games this summer. She will be part of the United States’ rowing team in the Mixed PR3 Double Sculls. The competition days for rowing begin on Friday, with Harper and her team racing in the qualifier at 5:30 a.m. eastern time. If the first two days go as Harper hopes, she will be competing in the Mixed PR3 Double Sculls finals at 6:10 a.m. on Sunday.

At the 2023 World Championships, Harper won silver in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain, then took home gold in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain at the 2023 Para Rowing Regatta to Paris. She also finished fifth at the 2022 World Championships. Harper and her team have been on a positive trajectory over the past few years, and they’re looking to cap it off with gold at the Paralympic Games.

Harper’s life has always been largely focused around water. It didn’t matter if she was swimming – which she did competitively for 16 years, including an illustrious career at Easthampton High School – or in the boat as a rower. Harper just loved being in the water.

When she was 14 years old, Harper suffered permanent damage to her left leg after a tubing accident in 2014. A rope almost severed her leg, and it left her without any feeling in the limb. Yet Harper refused to let the injury define her.

She went on to claim the team MVP award three times as a member of Easthampton’s swim team, and also qualified for the MIAA Division 2 championships. She helped set school records in the 200 and 400-yard freestyle relays and was a captain for her senior year. Although swimming was a huge part of her life, she gave it up to pursue rowing in college – where she attended Sacred Heart University.

The PR3 mixed double sculls crew of Harper and Todd Vogt will compete as the event makes its Paralympic Games debut this summer.

Looking back, it’s safe to say she made a good decision – as now she prepares to compete on the Paralympic stage in Paris. 

Harper’s success in college propelled her to compete at the international level. Quickly after, Harper began rowing in events across the world – like the World Championships and Para Rowing Regatta to Paris. The only thing left for the 22-year old to do: bring home that coveted gold medal to Easthampton.

The Paralympics will stream on Peacock.