Victoria Arlen

Who is Victoria Arlen?

Victoria Arlen is an American paralympian swimmer and spokesperson for those with disabilities. Arlen lost the use of her legs due to a rare viral disease called transverse myelitis which also left her in a coma for nearly three years. She competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics held in London, England, winning a total of four medals: one gold and three silver.

Arlen currently lives in Exeter, New Hampshire, where she attends Exeter High School. When she is not swimming, she enjoys acting, reading, modeling, writing, and spending time with family and friends.

In June 2012, Arlen took the S6 400m Freestyle world record at the American Paralympic trials.

In September 2012, Arlen competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, England. She won the silver medal in the S6 400m Freestyle after having won an appeal granting her the right to swim in the competition. She then went on to win silver in the 34 points 4x100m Freestyle Relay, silver in the S6 50m Freestyle, and gold in the S6 100m Freestyle in which she broke the world record with a time of 1:13.33.

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch honored Arlen by declaring September 21, 2012 as "Victoria Arlen Day" for both her accomplishments at the 2012 Summer Paralympics and her inspirational message about overcoming life's obstacles and personal disabilities.