Victoria Arlen Biography

Victoria Arlen is an American Paralympic swimmer and television personality. At age 11, she developed two rare neurological conditions, which left her in a vegetative state for nearly four years, fully aware but unable to move or communicate. Doctors deemed recovery unlikely, but Arlen defied the odds, relearning to speak, eat, and move. After a decade of paralysis from the waist down, she regained the ability to walk, though she still had no sensation in her legs.

A lifelong swimmer, Arlen returned to the pool in 2010 and qualified for the 2012 London Paralympics, where she won a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle and three silver medals in the 50-meter, 400-meter, and 4x100-meter freestyle relay. 

Arlen went on to join ESPN as one of the network’s youngest talent ever and reports for programming such as SportsCenter, X Games, Special Olympics, and other programs. 

Arlen also founded Victoria’s Victory Foundation in 2017, which provides scholarships for those with mobility challenges. Her autobiographical book “Locked In” and ESPN’s 30 for 30 film documentary of the same name detail her journey and life mantra of “Face It, Embrace It, Defy It, Conquer It,” coupled with her enduring Christian faith.

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