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This interview took place in July 2024
Share a bit about Abbas with us
Abbas Karimi is a professional athlete, inspirational swimmer, and Visit Lauderdale’s newest ambassador. Although Abbas was born without arms in Afghanistan, he grew very fond of swimming in the rivers of Kabul. He eventually progressed to swimming in pools. During the pandemic, a series of events brought Abbas to Greater Fort Lauderdale which would ultimately change his life. Abbas found friends that turned into family by joining the Swim Fort Lauderdale Masters Swim Team at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center. He also became one of Visit Lauderdale’s ambassadors this year and is in Paris now preparing to compete in the 2024 Paralympics in August.
What inspired Visit Lauderdale to sponsor Abbas?
Abbas exemplifies resilience and strength, which can serve as a beacon of hope to us all. By choosing Abbas an ambassador and subsequently sponsoring the 2024 U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team, Visit Lauderdale shows that we are a leader and a champion of diversity, inclusion and accessibility. Visit Lauderdale chose Abbas as its newest ambassador because of his inspiring story, but also because of his love of Greater Fort Lauderdale. His energy, his daily routines, and his passion for Greater Fort Lauderdale are the reasons we chose to sponsor the U.S. Swimming Team at the Paralympics. We know he is going to inspire our visitors to live life to the fullest. Karimi is proud to be a Greater Fort Lauderdale resident, and we hope everyone under the sun gets to learn about his incredible story.
How does this sponsorship align with Visit Lauderdale’s values and mission?
We are dedicated to being a destination where ALL people are welcomed, regardless of gender, gender expression, race, religion, or disability. We want people to know that we are a truly inclusive destination for people with visible and invisible disabilities. I believe travel is a human right, and by working with Abbas and sponsoring the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team, we show the world how important accessibility and inclusion are in our destination.
What kind of support and resources are you providing to the athlete?
On our home turf, Visit Lauderdale will shadow Abbas when he visits his favorite places throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale, highlighting those locations’ accessibility. Residents and visitors can see his share his story on social media, special appearances, and publicity campaigns. In Paris while at the Paralympics, Abbas knows that his home team is behind him every time he looks at our logo and branded signs throughout the competition.
What impact do you hope this sponsorship will have on the athlete’s life and career?
A win for Abbas is a win for Greater Fort Lauderdale. The sponsorship of the U.S. Swimming Paralympics Team and having Abbas as an ambassador is a testament to what we believe in – Greater Fort Lauderdale is for everyone under the sun. We hope Abbas gets the gold medal!
What impact do you hope this sponsorship will have on Visit Lauderdale and how do you plan to measure its success?
As an organization, Visit Lauderdale is committed to accessibility and inclusion. More than 15% of the world’s population experiences some sort of disability whether invisible or visible, according to the World Health Organization. I hope that the sponsorship will show that Visit Lauderdale is a leader in accessible tourism and that we are a truly welcoming destination.
Accessible tourism is on the rise, so we hope to see more visitors who are ready to discover the fun and exciting places we have to offer. Our goal is to inspire travelers to experience our accessible attractions and restaurants.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of this sponsorship so far?
I knew Abbas was incredibly talented and poised for success from the moment I heard his story. But to see the support that Abbas gets from his teammates at the Aquatic Center and surrounding community has been very rewarding. At Visit Lauderdale we are all fans and hope he wins the gold at the Paris Paralympics. Most importantly, we are happy and proud that we have vibrant and dynamic people like Abbas that are proud to call Greater Fort Lauderdale home.
Could you share any memorable experiences from your interaction/interview with Abbas?
Abbas has been able to overcome so much adversity, so he truly inspires you to live life to the fullest and focus on the positive in every situation. To watch him accomplish his dreams encourages you to believe in your own. I can’t wait to see how far he can soar!
How do you envision the future of this partnership, especially as he has qualified for the Paris Paralympics?
He made it to the Paralympics! He qualified for the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team, and we are so excited for him. This is a partnership that will bring awareness to the accessibility and inclusivity of our destination. It’s an honor to work with him and his team. I’m always excited to share his story with anyone I meet around the Greater Fort Lauderdale area and abroad
UPDATE: Abbas won a silver medal in the 4×4 Freestyle Swimming Relay at the Paralympics.
Read more about Abbas Karimi here.