Looking Back At The U.S. Powerlifting Team’s Paralympic Experience In Paris

A Paralympic medal was within reach for Bobby Body.

When he prepared for his third and final attempt at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Body sat in fourth place in the men’s up to 107 kg. weight class. A successful lift of 232 kg. would not only set a new personal best for Body but it would also earn him a bronze medal in his Paralympic debut.

And at first glance, he did just that.

The Eaton Rapids, Michigan, native guided more than double his bodyweight down toward his chest and back up to the rack. However, two of three judges ruled he did not pause long enough before re-racking, resulting in an unsuccessful lift.

The close call left Body with a best lift of 222 kg. and a fourth-place finish, marking a high point for the U.S. powerlifting team that sent an athlete to the Paralympics for the first time since 2016 and multiple athletes for the first time since 2012.

After the competition, Body noted that a technique issue, not a lack of strength, kept him off the podium, and he’s confident that’s something he can clean up by the next time he competes. Meanwhile, the 50-year-old Body vowed to train even harder for the next four years as he seeks a spot on the podium at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

In 2022, Ashley Dyce suffered an injury that kept her out of competition for more than a year. Ultimately she made her return at the Parapan American Games in late 2023, and with a few more competitions under her belt in early 2024 she earned a spot in Paris through a bipartite slot.

Like Body, Dyce had to wait until Sept. 8, the final day of competition at the Paris Games, to make her Paralympic debut.

Dyce successfully completed her first two lifts before failing to clear 115 kg. on her third attempt. Her best lift of 112 kg. earned her an eighth-place finish.

A little over a week after finishing her Paralympic debut, the 37-year-old from Colton, California, posted on her Instagram account that she was proud of her performance considering the setbacks she endured in the past couple years.

“I am thankful for all the great experiences I had, all the new people I have met from all over the world and those who I reconnected with,” Dyce wrote on her Instagram account. “It was truly a dream come true to compete on the biggest stage in the world for a disabled athlete and represent Team USA.”

While Body and Dyce waited to compete, both had time to enjoy the Paralympic experience.

Right as they arrived in the French capital, each athlete shared some details about where they were staying.

For Body, he showed off the view from his hotel room.

Dyce on the other hand let her followers see her bed made out of cardboard.

Since returning from Paris, both Dyce and Body have shared videos of themselves training, with each athlete expressing their desire to compete in the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

With the upcoming Paralympics taking place in her home state, Dyce used her experience in Paris to start helping LA prepare for hosting the Games. Back in October, Dyce served as a panelist on a summit that reviewed how accessible Paris was for athletes and spectators.

Insight from Dyce can help make LA28 the best possible experience for athletes from all over the world. For Dyce and Body, though, their focus for the next four years is making sure they end up on the podium while competing on home soil. 

Luke Hanlon is a sportswriter and editor based in Minneapolis. He is a freelance contributor to usparapowerlifting.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.