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The Olympics only come around every four years, and if you’re anything like us, it’s time to tune into the athletes that are competing in this year’s 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be taking place from July 26, 2024 to August 11, 2024, though some events will start competing on July 24, 2024.
Getting to the Olympic stage is a bucket list item for many athletes, and each and every one of them are an inspiration to many, but we wanted to shine a light on three inspiring athletes who are breaking boundaries and redefining what it means to be a champion.
Here’s a closer look at David Smith, Aaron Small, and Diksha Dagar—three incredible individuals proving that being Deaf or hard-of-hearing is not a limitation.
David Smith
David Smith, a middle blocker for Team USA Volleyball, has been a formidable presence on the court despite being born nearly deaf with 80-90% hearing loss. His journey from California to the global stage is a testament to resilience and determination. Growing up, David was mainstreamed into public schools and integrated into sports at an early age, thanks to the supportive decisions of his parents, Nancy and Rick. This environment helped him build confidence and develop socially, especially through sports.
David’s volleyball career took off at UC Irvine, where he led the nation in hitting with a .559 mark his senior year and helped his team win their first national championship in 2007. His professional journey is marked by numerous accolades, including a bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics. Smith has competed in four Olympic Games: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and is set to compete in Paris 2024.
Career Highlights:
- Competed in four Olympic Games: London 2012, Rio 2016 (bronze), Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024
- Led UC Irvine to a national championship in 2007
- Named to the Volleyball Nation's League Dream Team in 2023
Watching Men’s Volleyball at the Paris Olympics
The gold medal match will take place on August 10, 2024, but the tournament will begin on July 27, 2024. The teams that qualified for this year’s Olympics are Germany, Brazil, the United States, Japan, Poland, Canada, France (automatically qualified as the host), Slovenia, Italy, Argentina, Serbia, and Egypt. Team USA is not predicted to win the men’s volleyball gold medal this year, but will still be exciting to watch as they battle the other top teams and we all can cheer for David!
You can catch Team USA's preliminary match on Saturday, July 27 at noon PST.
Aaron Small
Aaron Small is a sprint canoe/kayak athlete for Team USA Canoe/Kayak, was born hard of hearing, and has navigated the challenges of his condition to emerge as one of the top athletes in his sport.
Aaron’s introduction to kayaking came at the age of 11, through the Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club. What started as a recreational activity soon turned into a serious pursuit. Despite the early frustrations of constantly falling out of the boat, Aaron’s love for the sport kept him going. By 16, he was competing nationally, and his dedication saw him training two to three times a day as he prepared for international competitions.
Aaron’s hard work paid off when he won a bronze medal in the Men’s Kayak Double 500m Sprint at the Pan American Games.
Career Highlights:
- 2024 Pan American K1 500m - Silver
- 2023 Pan American Games K2 500m - Bronze
Watching Men’s Sprint Canoe/Kayak at the Paris Olympics
Aaron Small and partner, Jonas Ecker, will be competing in the men’s Men's Canoe Double 500m and K2 1,000-meter races in Paris.
Canoeing and Kayaking will be taking place between July 27 through August 6, with a total of 10 events. The Canoe slalom events will start on Day 1, but the sprint events, the ones that Aaron is in, will take place between Tuesday, August 6 and Saturday, August 10.
Watch Aaron in the Men's Canoe Double Heats on Tuesday, August 6 at 3:30am PST.
Diksha Dagar
Diksha Dagar is a golfer for Team India Golf and her rise in the world of golf is nothing short of extraordinary. Born profoundly deaf, Diksha has defied expectations and carved out a stellar career in a sport where focus and precision are paramount.
Diksha’s journey began in Jhajjar, India, where her father, Narinder Dagar, a colonel in the Indian army and a scratch golfer, introduced her to the game at the age of six. Despite the challenges of her condition, Diksha’s family was unwavering in their support. Her father, who became her coach, believed in her potential and never allowed her hearing impairment to define her limitations.
Diksha’s career is studded with historic achievements. She became the youngest Indian and the first deaf player to win a Ladies European Tour (LET) event when she captured the 2019 Investec South African Women’s Open at just 18 years old. She is only the second Indian women to win two or more LET titles - and she won at just 22 years old.
Her success continued at the Deaflympics, where she won a silver medal in 2017 and a gold medal in 2021. Diksha also made history by competing in both the Olympic Games and the Deaflympics, a rare feat in the world of sports.
Career Highlights:
- Youngest Indian and the first deaf player to win a Ladies European Tour (LET) event
- Competed in both the Olympic Games and the Deaflympics
- Won a silver medal in 2017 and a gold medal in 2021 at the Deaflympics
Watching Women’s Golf at the Paris Olympics
The Women’s Olympic Golf Competition will be held at Le Golf National from August 7 to August 10, 2024. It will consist of a 72 hole individual stroke with four rounds scheduled over four days. The scores will be cumulative from round to round.
The golf competition consists of a 72 hole individual stroke play for both men and women (four rounds scheduled over four (4) consecutive days). Scores are cumulative from round to round. The player with the lowest aggregate score wins.
Diksha Dagar is currently ranked 41 in the Olympic women’s golf ranking, and it will be fun to see if she can beat the odds and snag her first Olymic medel.
You can watch Diksha in the Women's Individual Stroke Play Round 1 on Wednesday, August 7 starting at midnight PST.
Deaflympics vs. Olympics
As we look forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, it’s important to recognize the role of the Deaflympics in providing a platform for Deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. The Deaflympics, first held in 1924, are an international competition similar to the Olympics but exclusively for athletes with hearing impairments. These games offer an inclusive environment where athletes can compete without the communication barriers that often exist in mainstream sports.
While both the Olympics and Deaflympics celebrate athletic excellence, there are notable differences. In the Deaflympics, no hearing aids or cochlear implants are allowed during competition, ensuring a level playing field. Communication is predominantly through sign language, creating a unique and supportive atmosphere for athletes.
On the other hand, the Olympics feature a diverse range of athletes, including those with and without disabilities, fostering a spirit of global unity. Athletes like Diksha Dagar have demonstrated that they can compete at the highest levels in both arenas, breaking down barriers and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
In the vast arena of global sports, the stories of these three athletes—David Smith, Aaron Small, and Diksha Dagar—shine brightly, illuminating the path for others who face similar challenges. Their journeys to the Paris 2024 Olympics remind us that limitations are often self-imposed, and with the right mindset, anything is possible.
