Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: Tully Kearney back on track thanks to puppy love after temporarily losing memory of Tokyo gold following concussion
Two life-changing events for Tully Kearney in 2023 – one a happy occasion, the other really not – impacted her build-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The Para swimming athlete, who was born with cerebral palsy and diagnosed with dystonia, a neurological condition, when she was a teenager, received a Labrador puppy named Huxley in May 2023. It was a joyous occasion after a lengthy wait for an assistance dog.
The timing of the receipt of the super cute chocolate-coloured pup could not have been better.
In January 2023, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games gold and silver medallist hit her head, with the resulting complex concussion syndrome detrimental to her original diagnosis.
"I had no idea how serious getting hit on the head could be and how many symptoms it could cause and how many abilities it could take away!" posted Kearney on Instagram on 9 January 2024, exactly one year after the incident. "I also didn’t know that having a pre-existing brain injury puts you at much higher risk of post-concussion syndrome."
365 days later and Kearney was still managing the effects, including vertigo, akin to dizziness, and with just seven months to go before the start of the next Paralympic Games. Worries about participation in the showpiece occasion were acute.
Kearney had been here before after being unable to compete at Rio 2016 due to a shoulder injury, so she knew how that felt. Finally reaching a Paralympics, at the delayed Games in Japan in 2021, let alone winning silver, and gold in a world record time in the S5 100m free in a time of 1:14:39, was a breakthrough moment for the Brit.
In a horrible twist of fate, however, the incident in 2023 left Kearney temporarily unable to even remember winning the medals in Japan after suffering memory loss.
"The only positive thing I can say (about 2023) is that I can’t remember the first three months 😂," posted Kearney at year's end.
Kearney found herself yet again uncertain about being able to compete at a Paralympic Games, but this time she was accompanied by a new four-legged "best friend" on her journey, and she'd need every doggy cuddle Huxley could provide.
Great Britain's Tully Kearney looks toward the camera as she pauses in the pool between lane markers to take a moment to let winning Paralympic swimming gold sink in at Tokyo 2020
Tully Kearney back on track thanks to puppy love
It took until February 2023 for Kearney to find an activity that she could cope with.
"Finally something that doesn’t increase the symptoms of my post-concussion syndrome! Lovely to get some winter sun 🙌 " posted Kearney alongside a video of her doing a static wheelchair session on rollers on an outside decking area.
Getting back to some kind of activity was always going to be important, not only for her Paralympic ambitions, but as a way she has always managed her physical and mental wellbeing.
Exercising is key for Kearney physically, or her condition could worsen, and the pool is her "happy place" she says. But being unable to swim due to the vertigo heavily impacted her mental health.
By early April, however, Kearney was back training on the track. A month later, she had Huxley by her side, coinciding happily with a return to the pool. He made his debut poolside a few days later, complete with vibrant fluorescent yellow bib stencilled with ''assistance dog in training".
"So proud of this pup! Taken him to the pool and the gym this week and he was good as gold! Not bothered by the loud noises at all and happily sat by me the whole time, even had a nap at the pool 😂 It’s like he knows what he’s supposed to do already!" posted a thrilled Kearney.
A first dog walk, hospital appointments, dog shows, beach trips, training runs, the pair were soon inseparable as Kearney's training progressed.
A setback at the World Para Swimming Championships in August, Kearney had to be medically withdrawn after a concussion symptom flared following the 100m freestyle final and was therefore unable to add to her 10 world titles.
"It’s a shame as at my best it would’ve been such a great race and so frustrating as prior to the injury I’d had a great start to the season," posted Kearney. "However, I now have to recover fully as the priority has to be Paris next year."
By 3 October, however, the pool was once again Kearney's haven.
"After almost ten months of horrendous symptoms especially whilst trying to train due to complex concussion syndrome the pool is finally once again my happy place ❤️ Still a way to go but finally making good progress!"
Tully Kearney already eyeing LA 2028
Accompanied by Huxley laying poolside on his mat, the 27-year-old worked hard to get back to form for her second Paralympic Games.
On 29 August, Kearney won gold in the women's 200m freestyle S5, before defending her 100m free title the following day.
Kearney's final event is the 50m backstroke on 3 September with a potential third gold medal on the line.
The only thing that could make winning multiple medals at Paris 2024 any better would have been having Huxley by her side. However, having not been around a competition environment yet, Huxley was unable to accompany his owner to Paris.
Instead, Kearney got a tattoo of her doggo's paw on her arm so that he is with her in some capacity at all times.
But the pooch was on Kearney's mind immediately after claiming gold in France.
"Hopefully by the next Games Huxley will be out with me by my side," said Kearney, eyeing LA 2028. "He's a very good swimmer himself."