‘I’m Still Here’: Almost a Year After Suicide Attempt, Swimmer Shares Emotional Victory Speech

Swimmer Abdelrahman El-Araby won the 50 freestyle this week at the ACC Championships — something he didn’t imagine would be possible last year.

“It’s crazy to think I’m still here,” the fifth-year junior from Louisville who missed the NCAAs last year after a suicide attempt in March left him in a coma, told reporters after his big victory.

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“If it means anything to anybody, it’s okay to fall. It’s okay to fail. It’s okay to lose the battle, just don’t lose the war,” he added. “I lost the battle last year, and this one is for everyone who lost the battle.”

WATCH HIS EMOTIONAL SPEECH BELOW:

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Caleb Parke is the SMG managing editor. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and connect with him at calebparke.com.