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Lawrence Sapp

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Lawrence Sapp
Personal information
Born (2001-09-05) September 5, 2001 (age 23)
Waldorf, Maryland, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Sport
SportParalympic swimming
DisabilityAutism
Disability classS14, SB14, SM14
Medal record
Men's paralympic swimming
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Mexico City 100 m backstroke S14
Silver medal – second place 2019 London 100 m butterfly S14

Lawrence Sapp (born September 5, 2001) is an American Paralympic swimmer. He represented the United States at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Paralympics.

Career

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Sapp made his international debut for the United States at the World Para Swimming Championships in 2017 where he won a gold medal in the 100 metre backstroke S14 event.[1] He again competed at the World Championships in 2019 and won a silver medal in the 100 metre butterfly S14 event.[2]

Sapp represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Paralympics where he finished in fifth place in the 100 metre butterfly S14 event.[3] He became the first man to compete at the Paralympics in the S14 classification for team USA.[4][5]

On April 29, 2023, Sapp was named to the roster to represent the United States at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships. During the World Championship he finished in seventh place in the 100 metre butterfly S14 event.[6][7]

On June 30, 2024, Sapp was named to team USA's roster to compete at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.[8]

Personal life

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Sapp was born to Carlton and Dee Sapp. He has autism and an intellectual impairment.[9] After Sapp failed his driving test at least 20 times, his mother asked for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for him to be given a version of the test he had practiced with. His experience led Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration to change the test and make it more accessible for everyone.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Black, Ted (September 29, 2017). "North Point sophomore Sapp qualifies for U.S. National Paralympics Swim Team". somdnews.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Reinert, Bob (September 14, 2023). "The Next Step For Lawrence Sapp? Taking On Collegiate Swimming At UMSL". usparaswimming.org. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Bardahl, Jayna (August 23, 2021). "How UC student Lawrence Sapp cleared the lane to the Tokyo Paralympic Games". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Jones, Sadie (February 26, 2022). "Lawrence Sapp: Making History One Stroke At A Time". Swimming World Magazine. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Grunik, Katie (August 25, 2021). "First-Timers Shine For Team USA In Butterfly Events On Day One Of Para Swimming In Tokyo". teamusa.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  6. ^ Overend, Riley (April 29, 2023). "U.S. Paralympics Swimming Selects 22 (Including Just 6 Men) for 2023 Worlds Roster". swimswam.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Gowdy, Kristen (August 6, 2023). "Stickney's second world title caps four-medal final night for Team USA in Manchester". usparaswimming.org. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  8. ^ Gowdy, Kristen (June 30, 2024). "U.S. Paralympics Swimming Roster Announced for 2024 Paralympic Games". usparaswimming.org. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Koenig, Angela (April 7, 2021). "Lawrence Sapp hopes to make a splash at the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo". uc.edu. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Moyer, Justin (September 26, 2023). "An autistic man kept failing Maryland's driver's test. Officials changed it". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
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