About Tucker
Tucker Dupree represented the United States at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships, Montreal, Canada, 2012 Paralympic Games in London, the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, the 2009 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.
At the age of 17, Tucker began to lose his vision and was diagnosed with a rare disease called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). In a short period of time, Tucker lost 70% – 80% of his central vision in both eyes. Determined not to let this disability define his life, Tucker continues to become a stronger swimmer while inspiring others with his positive outlook on life.
Age: 25
Birthday: May 11
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Height: 6’1’’
Weight: 180
Parents: Marlene and Chet
Siblings: One sister, Sarah
Disability: Blind / Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON)
Number of Years Swimming: 10
Typical Training Day: Wake up at 4:30 for a morning practice swim, weight lifting and another water work out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Tuesday. Thursday, and Saturday are just a single water work out in the morning.
Favorite Foods: Pasta, apples, bananas, cinnamon rice cakes and ice cream.
Hobbies: Playing piano and listening to music.
People Who Inspire Me: Shawn Kornoelje and Rudy Garcia-Tolsen
Biggest Challenge: Not being able to drive.
Proudest Moment: Earning two bronze medals and a silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
Awards and Recognition:
- 2011 Roger McCarville Male Athlete of the Year Award
- 2009 Town of Garner Certificate of Recognition
- 2009 Top North Carolina Athletes of the Decade
- 2008 The Greater Raleigh Sports Council Courage of Character Award
- 2007 Honors Graduate from Garner Magnet High School
- 2007 Swimming MVP, Garner Magnet High School
- 2007 WSY Andy Craver Determination Award
- Tim Stevens Scholarship Award Winner
Tucker’s World Rankings
Long Course Meters
- 1st – 50 Meter Backstroke – World Record (Best Time 28.11)
- 1st – 50 Meter Butterfly – World Record
- 1st – 100 Meter Butterfly (Best Time: 58.29 – World Record)
- 2nd – 50 Meter Freestyle (Best Time: 24.00 – American Record)
- 1st – 100 Meter Backstroke (Best Time: 59.64 – American Record)
- 3rd – 100 Meter Freestyle (Best Time: 53.98 – American Record)
- 3rd – 400 Meter Freestyle (Best Time: 4:20.27 – American Record)
- 1st – 50 Meter Butterfly (Best Time: 26.93 – American Record)
- 4th – 100 Meter Butterfly (Best Time: 59.55 – American Record)
- 1st – 200 Meter Butterfly (Best Time: 2:47.04 – American Record)
- 2nd – 50 Meter Backstroke (Best Time: 29.67 – American Record)
- 2nd – 100 Meter Backstroke (Best Time: 1:01.36 – American Record)
- NR – 200 Meter Backstroke (Best Time: 2:21.64 – American Record)
- 3rd – 50 Meter Freestyle (Best Time: 24.36 – American Record)
- 3rd – 100 Meter Freestyle (Best Time: 54.41 – American Record)
- NR – 200 Meter Freestyle (Best Time: 2:05.55 – American Record)
- 5th – 400 Meter Freestyle (Best Time: 4:23.38)
- 3rd – 50 Meter Breaststroke (Best Time: 35.63 – American Record)
- NR – 100 Meter Breaststroke (Best Time: 1:22.96 – American Record)
- NR – 200 Meter Individual Medley (Best Time: 2:19.12 – American Record)
- NR – 400 Medley Relay (Best Time: 4:33.79 – American Record)
Tucker’s Medal Count
Tucker is a world-ranked Paralympic swimmer and adds to his cache of medals at nearly every event. He currently holds 43 American Records, 9 Pan-American Records and 2 World Records.
Since 2006 he has been awarded 49 Gold, 14 Silver and 18 Bronze medals. Results
- 2014 IDM Berlin 2014 Open 2 Time Power point Winner
- 2014 IDM Berlin 2014 Open World Record
- 2014 British Open 2nd Power Point Winner and 4 American and Pan American Records
- 2013 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships, Montreal, Canada: 1 silver, 1 bronze
- 2012 Paralympic Games, London: 1 silver, 2 bronze
- 2012 Summer Canadian American Championships, Winnipeg, Canada: 4 gold
- 2012 U.S. Paralympics Swimming Trials, Bismarck, North Dakota: 4 gold
- 2011 Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships, Edmonton, Canada: 1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze
- 2010 Speedo CAN-AM Para-Swimming Championships, Etobicoke Olympium, Toronto Ontario, Canada: 6 gold
- 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships Eindhoven, Netherlands: 1 silver, 4 bronze
- 2010 Spring Canadian American Championships, San Antonio, Texas: 6 gold
- 2009 World Championships, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze
- 2009 Summer Canadian American Championships: 5 gold
- 2009 Spring Canadian American Championships: 6 gold
- 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing, China: 1 fourth place, 2 fifth place, 2 sixth place and 1 seventh place finish
- 2008 Summer Canadian American Championships: 2 silver, 4 bronze
- 2008 Paralympic Trials: 6 gold
- 2007 Open Swimming Championship: 6 gold
- 2007 Summer Canadian American Championships: 3 gold, 3 silver
- 2006 North Carolina State Games: 1 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze