“Was on a Ventilator”: Chase Kalisz, Once Victim of Deadly Condition as US Olympian, Looks To Make History at Paris Olympics

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ByMaleehah Shakeel

Jun 16, 2024 | 10:39 PM EDT

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Chase Kalisz, a 30-year-old swimmer, once questioned “if I was going to be alive ” to pursue his dreams. Now, he stands as a two-time Olympian with aspirations of competing in the Paris Olympics. Kalisz’s journey began in his childhood at the age of 5, when he followed his older sister, Courtney, to the renowned North Baltimore Aquatic Club. He would only dive into the pool, famously known for producing Michael Phelps, when people threw coins into the water. The former University of Georgia NCAA champion fondly recalls the excitement of occasionally surfacing with more than a dollar.

As Chase Kalisz dreams of the Paris Olympics, the first step is to qualify for the trials. In a recent trial race in the men’s 400m individual medley, he secured second place, with Carson Foster taking the top spot in the finals. But Kalisz’s journey so far has been full of ups and downs, drawing parallels with Amy Van Dyken, as both athletes have overcome life-threatening diseases to reach their current standings.

Chase Kalisz’s journey from paralysis to pursuing Olympic dreams

Chase Kalisz’s journey seemed almost impossible from the start. At just eight years old, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disease that left him fully paralyzed. “I had no control over my body,” Kalisz recalls in a conversation with Olympics.com, “I was on a ventilator and a feeding tube and in an induced coma for about a month.” The recovery process was long and arduous, taking nearly two years for Kalisz to relearn basic functions like walking.

Chase Kalisz began swimming at the age of five under the supervision of Bob Bowman because he had a deep love for the water. Despite facing illness and going through a recovery, Kalisz stayed committed to his dreams, always looking ahead to what came in his path. This significant chapter in his life greatly influenced Kalisz’s outlook. Even as a child who confronted a life-threatening situation, he discovered how to remain resolute and focused on achieving his goals.

Reflecting on his experience, he says, “You learn a lot about yourself; you learn about what’s really inside you.” His deep involvement in swimming from a young age not only ignited his love for the sport but also gave him a sense of direction as he recovered. As Chase Kalisz strives to achieve his goal of competing in Paris, he embarks on a journey that mirrors Amy Van Dyken’s fight against an illness.

Can Amy Van Dyken’s journey to Olympic triumph inspire others?

Amy Van Dyken, a swimmer, gained fame in the sports world after being honored as Swimming World’s American Swimmer of the Year in both 1995 and 1996. She made history by capturing four gold medals at the Atlanta Summer Olympics in 1996, becoming the woman to accomplish this remarkable feat.

Despite facing injuries, she participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Adding two more gold medals to her collection, brought her total to six—all of them gold. This outstanding accomplishment places her among the group of Olympians who have achieved only gold medals.

Van Dyken experienced a life change after retiring from swimming. In June 2014, she suffered an ATV accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite the setback, she maintains positivity and remains active, viewing the injury as more of a slowdown than a limitation. When reflecting on her journey, she emphasized the significance of winning gold in the 100m butterfly event at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Although it wasn’t her discipline, she dedicated herself to improvement. She was overjoyed by her victory, marking a historic moment as the first American woman to achieve four gold medals in a single Olympics. As Chase Kalisz looks forward to Paris, all attention will be on him to see if he can contribute further to the legacy of the flag.