By Taylor Mooney
Picture by 2024 Getty Images
Para Swimming
Every little girl and boy dreams of becoming the best at something—whether in sports, the arts, or academics. We’ve all nurtured a dream before fully understanding what the world has to offer. But for Rogier Dorsman, this wasn’t the case.
The 25-year-old swimmer, who tonight defended his Paralympic champion title by winning gold in the men's 200m SM11 final, initially tethered his love for swimming to a far simpler desire—one far removed from the prospect of a Paralympic gold medal, let alone two, and a world record.
“When I was six, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m not really sure what I want to do. I like to swim, so let’s go for it!’ But it was just a hobby at that point. Then, just when I became visually impaired, I discovered I had a talent for it in the Paralympic swimming world. It’s just great to be here,” he said.
“Most people, as a child, dream of being the best at some sport. I didn’t. I’m blessed to be the Paralympic Champion again. It’s a weird feeling,” he added.
Rogier’s natural bond with swimming developed from a pure love for the sport. Starting his journey in the water at just six years old, he believes that swimming is in his biological makeup.
“I’ve been swimming since I was six. I think swimming is in my DNA. My grandad has been an official for over 40 years, my dad was a water polo player, my mom was a swimmer, and so were two of my aunts. My grandad has six grandchildren who all swim, and it’s just part of who I am,” he said.
Picture by 2024 Getty Images
But it wasn’t always easy for Rogier. In 2012, he began to lose his vision, and the once natural swimmer found that the simplicity of training had vanished.
“I had to learn to swim again. Bit by bit, my swimming got worse, so I had to relearn it with the tapping. In the end, that took a while, but I was glad I could still swim. And what’s better than making a job out of your hobby? I’m glad I did.”
Although Rogier is a decorated Paralympic swimmer and now a two-time gold medalist, he’s not always certain that his races feel the same to him as they do to those watching.
Speaking about his vision impairment, Rogier said he turns to his team for guidance.
“When I’m in the water, I do feel a lot, but sometimes those feelings don’t match what’s happening on the outside. My team is good at reassuring me and helping me put those feelings aside. In the water, I have to do it all by myself, but around the pool, they play a big role in telling me how I’m doing and giving me feedback on things I can’t see.”
Despite losing one of his senses, Rogier’s passion for swimming persevered, and a new love for the pool emerged.
“Sometimes the water is my outlet for any stress I have. There was a moment, especially when I became visually impaired, when all the negative test results kept coming from the hospital. I was like, ‘Yeah, just let me swim, then I don’t have to worry about anything.’”
Picture by 2024 Getty Images
As Rogier's natural love for the sport grew, so did his achievements, culminating in his first Paralympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Returning to the Paralympics this year to defend his title was a challenge he knew he could rise to, but even he faced moments of doubt before the final race.
“When you have two races close to each other where you don’t get the result you hoped for, it’s natural to have doubt in yourself,” he said.
In moments of uncertainty, Rogier turns to his team for the support he needs.
“After the heats, they just listened to all the mess that came out of my mouth and told me that I don’t need to worry. Every session in the gym and the pool showed that I am better and stronger. I knew I could do it—I just had to wait for my moment.”
Despite being a Paralympic champion, Rogier is keenly aware of his humanity and the doubts that come with it.
“I know I have it, and I know I can do it, but having those feelings is human—everyone has them. The best you can do is tell the people around you. They’ll listen, and in the end, they’ll say, ‘Don’t worry, it’s all going to be okay.’”
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The Dutch swimmer will soon return to the Netherlands, where he will waste no time before diving into something other than water. But keeping close contact with his halogenic friend is a priority, too.
"I’m studying for sport marketing. That’s what I’m going to do after the Paralympics. I might have some swims for fun, you know, just to keep addicted to the chlorine."
