Laura Gene Schwanger (born 1958^[1]) is a retired American Paralympic athlete and adaptive rower. She has competed at three Paralympic Games in track and field and returned twelve years later to compete in rowing at the 2008 Summer Paralympics. She is a four time Paralympic champion including six silver medals and one bronze medal in athletics and won a bronze medal in rowing.^[2][3]

Quick Facts Personal information, Born ...

Laura Schwanger

Personal information
Born	November 1958 (age 65) Philadelphia, United States
Alma mater	Rowan College Immaculata College
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Paralympic athletics Adaptive rowing
Disability	Multiple sclerosis
Disability class	F53
Event(s)	Pentathlon Javelin throw Discus throw Shot put
Medal record Paralympic athletics Representing  United States Paralympic Games 1988 Seoul Women's discus throw 3 1988 Seoul Women's javelin throw 3 1988 Seoul Women's pentathlon 3 1988 Seoul Women's shot put 3 1992 Barcelona Women's javelin throw THW5 1992 Barcelona Women's pentathlon PW3-4 1992 Barcelona Women's shot put THW5 1996 Atlanta Women's discus throw F53-54 1996 Atlanta Women's javelin throw F53-54 1996 Atlanta Women's shot put F53-54 1992 Barcelona Women's discus throw THW5 Adaptive rowing Paralympic Games 2008 Beijing Women's single sculls

Close

After graduating from Washington Township High School, New Jersey in 1977, Schwanger joined the United States Army and became a meteorological observer.^[4] She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1981 while on active duty.

She took up athletics soon after then retired after the 1996 Summer Paralympics, she took up rowing in later 2006 after receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.^[5][6]

She studied physical education at Glassboro State College, which became Rowan College during her time there. She earned a master's degree in counseling and psychology at Immaculata College.