PARIS, France — A Naperville, Illinois, native and Saint Louis University professor made history Thursday morning during the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Sarah Adam became the first woman to play on a U.S. wheelchair rugby team at the Paralympic Games. She is competing with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired on July 29.
USA won its first wheelchair rugby match of the Games on Thursday by defeating Canada 51-48. Adam scored in the game during the first period.
Adam originally learned about wheelchair rugby while volunteering during occupational therapy school, according to USA Wheelchair Rugby.
Adam was classed into the sport in 2019 and soon became a silver medalist in 2022. She most recently led the USA Rugby team to a gold medal finish at the Parapan American Games 2023. She's also the only woman on Team USA's wheelchair rugby roster heading into Paris.
"When I couldn't compete in able-bodied sports, I needed to fill that gap," Adam previously told USA Wheelchair Rugby. "Wheelchair rugby fills that need to be active and competitive. I grew up with two brothers, and both my parents were athletes growing up, so I've always had a sports-minded upbringing.”
Team USA will play their next match on Aug. 30 against Japan.