Sport: Swimming

Hometown: League City, Texas  

Physical Disability: Below the knee Amputee  

Richard McCullough lives at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and is aiming to compete at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. 

Due to a bone disease and multiple unsuccessful surgeries, McCullough’s leg had to be amputated below the knee when he was 7 years old. Rather than letting this slow him down, McCullough decided that he was going to compete in sports for his school with the rest of his classmates. 

One of his teachers suggested that he try water polo, and at first he competed with able-bodied athletes but eventually he began competing with other athletes with physical disabilities. His water polo coach noticed that his sprints during the water polo games were very impressive, so he suggested that McCullough switch to swimming, and nearly 10 years after his amputation, McCullough started swimming competitively. 

Having just graduated from Clear Creek High school in League City, Texas, McCullough hopes to get his degree in communications once he starts college.  After he achieves his Paralympic dreams, he hopes to find a career working with the deaf community.