The Ten News: “2024 Paralympics Takeover with a Paralympian 🏆” (Re-Air)

Podcast: The Ten News, News for Curious Kids
Host: Small But Mighty Media
Original Air Date: July 15, 2025
Featured Guest: Riley Boyt, Paralympian Swimmer
Reporter: Sarah Namayus

Episode Overview

This episode of The Ten News takes a deep dive into the 2024 Paralympic Games, highlighting what the Paralympics are, their inspiring history, and the incredible athletes who compete. Special focus is given through an interview with Paralympic swimmer Riley Boyt, who shares her story—from learning to swim as a child with dwarfism to competing at the highest level. The episode aims to inform and inspire young listeners about athletic inclusivity, resilience, and the power of following one's passions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Are the Paralympics?

• The Paralympics are a global sporting event for athletes with disabilities or impairments, running two weeks after the Olympics in the same host city.
• Paris is hosting the 2024 Summer Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.
• “The Paralympics are one of the coolest things out there. Even cooler than a polar bear eating ice cream in the wintertime.” (Ryan, 01:21)

Timestamps:

• [01:11] Brief on the 2024 Paralympic Games timing
• [01:21] Whimsical intro to Paralympics

2. Paralympic History

• The roots trace back to 1948, when Dr. Sir Ludwig Gutman organized the Stoke Mandeville Games in England for WWII veterans with spinal injuries.
• The first official “Paralympic Games” took place in Rome, 1960, after the Olympics, with 400 athletes from 23 countries competing.
• The International Paralympic Committee was established in 1989.
• Fun facts:
  • Summer and Winter Paralympics occur every four years, mirroring the Olympics.
  • The “para” in Paralympics means “beside,” reflecting its pairing with the Olympics.

Timestamps:

• [02:09] Origin story: Dr. Sir Ludwig Gutman
• [03:12] First official games and sports included
• [03:51] International Paralympic Committee founded

3. How the Paralympics Compare

• Third biggest sporting event by ticket sales (after the Olympics and FIFA World Cup).
• 2024 Paris will be the first Paralympics to broadcast every sport live: 22 sports.

Timestamps:

• [04:32] Popularity by ticket sales
• [04:49] Evolution of coverage (from 15 live sports in Rio 2016 to all 22 in Paris 2024)

4. Paralympic Superstars

• Spotlight on Tricia Zorn Hudson, the most decorated Paralympian ever: 55 medals (41 golds) over 7 Paralympics—compared to Michael Phelps’s 28 medals.
• “Despite being born with a genetic eye condition that left her blind, she is the most successful athlete in the history of the Paralympic Games.” (Ryan, 05:22)

Timestamps:

• [05:22] Tricia Zorn Hudson’s achievements discussed

5. Interview: Riley Boyt, Paralympic Swimmer

Riley’s Athletic Journey

• Tried many sports growing up but instantly found swimming to feel like “home.”
  • “I've always been happiest in the water. It was just kind of instantly home for me.” (Riley Boyt, 08:13)
• Qualified for Beijing trials at age 11, growing up surrounded by other Paralympic dwarf swimmers in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Timestamps:

• [07:20] How Riley started swimming
• [08:56] Qualifying for trials at age 11

Overcoming Challenges

• Discussed navigating society’s perceptions as a woman and as a person with dwarfism.
  • “Being a dwarf in a society that isn’t built for me…can be really frustrating.” (Riley, 09:36)
  • Addressed the “comedic effect” stereotype and the challenge to be taken seriously as an athlete.
• Cited the empowering influence of powerful female dwarf athletes who paved the way.

Timestamps:

• [09:28] Living with dwarfism; societal challenges
• [09:36] Importance of representation

Competition & Rituals

• Competes primarily in backstroke, frontstroke, individual medley, and butterfly.
• Describes herself as “superstitious” with pre-race rituals—specific arm swings, splashing water, etc.

Timestamps:

• [10:41] Events she swims
• [11:38] Pre-race nerves and rituals

Mental Health and Pressure

• Shares the intense mental pressure faced by elite athletes:
  • “You aren’t just letting yourself down…you have your country behind you, younger generations looking up to you...it is this huge, huge mental pressure.” (Riley, 12:25)
• Appreciates recent strides in discussing athletes’ mental health.

Timestamps:

• [12:25] Mental health and pressure

Life After Swimming

• Retired from swimming by her own rule: when she stopped loving it, she’d move on.
• Currently studies sharks’ stomach contents—pursuing marine biology, her other passion.
  • “It is the love for the water. I have always been happiest when I'm in the water…My parents told the story of every time I cried as a baby, they'd stick me in the tub or the sink.” (Riley, 14:26)

Timestamps:

• [13:21] Retirement
• [14:05] Now studying sharks
• [14:26] Connection to water and marine science

Paralympian Community & 2024 Paris Picks

• Roots for friends and legendary athletes across swimming, wheelchair basketball, track and field, goalball, and sitting volleyball.
  • Names: Tatiana (track), Chuck Aoki (wheelchair rugby), Jessica Long, Zach Shattuck, Colleen Mackenzie, Jamal Hill (swimming), and the men’s wheelchair basketball team.

Timestamps:

• [15:09] Athletes Riley roots for

6. Fun and Games: Trivia with Owen

• Riley participates in a lighthearted trivia segment about the Eiffel Tower (“It can grow!” because of thermal expansion).
• Memorable exchange:
  • Owen: “Which of the following is true about the Eiffel Tower? …”
  • Riley: “I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that it can grow…has something to do with heat or cold.” (17:56)
  • (She answers correctly!)

Timestamps:

• [17:30] Trivia segment on Eiffel Tower
• [18:10] Correct answer explanation

Notable Quotes

• “The Paralympics are one of the coolest things out there. Even cooler than a polar bear eating ice cream in the wintertime.” — Ryan (01:21)
• “Despite being born with a genetic eye condition that left her blind, [Tricia Zorn Hudson] is the most successful athlete in the history of the Paralympic Games…For context, Michael Phelps has 28 medals.” — Ryan (05:22)
• “I've always been happiest in the water. It was just kind of instantly home for me.” — Riley Boyt (08:13)
• “Being a dwarf in a society that isn’t built for me…can be really frustrating. It can be pretty difficult to navigate a world that wasn’t built for me.” — Riley Boyt (09:36)
• “You aren’t just letting yourself down if you fail or if something goes wrong. Like you have everyone that has gotten you to the moment…It is this huge, huge mental pressure.” — Riley Boyt (12:25)
• “It is the love for the water. I have always been happiest when I'm in the water…My parents told the story of every time I cried as a baby, they'd stick me in the tub or the sink.” — Riley Boyt (14:26)
• “I study the stomach contents of sharks, so I'm digging through their actual puke and vomit. So I think it’s gross.” — Riley Boyt (14:58)

Memorable Moments & Segments

• Ryan geeking out about Paralympics and his self-identification as a “merman” (06:07; 19:08).
• Riley’s genuine and humorous answers about her early swimming attempts and love for the water.
• Ryan’s fearful (and funny) confusion about butterfly stroke vs. actual butterflies (11:00).
• Inspirational discussion of the importance of mental health for athletes (12:25).
• Riley’s transition from elite athlete to marine biology, emphasizing diversified interests after sports (14:05).
• Fun and informative trivia with Owen, exploring the Eiffel Tower’s science tidbit.

Recommended Listening

• For an extended version of the Riley Boyt interview, Tenors Club members can access bonus content.
• Watch the 2024 Paris Paralympics on NBC and Peacock (16:48).

This episode celebrates the grit, spirit, and humor of Paralympic athletes—and offers young listeners and families an accessible, inspiring entry point into one of the world’s most exciting sporting events.