By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rican para swimmer Sara Miranda, just 20 years old, made a splash at her first World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, finishing 11th in the world in the 100-meter backstroke S7 class. Miranda’s performance marks a significant achievement for the young athlete and signals a promising future for Costa Rican para swimming.
Miranda clocked a time of 1:38.26 in the 100-meter backstroke, competing against the world’s elite para swimmers. This impressive result follows her personal best time of 1:34.04, achieved earlier this year at the World Para Swimming Series in Indianapolis, USA, solidifying her position as a rising star in the sport.
To understand the legal landscape surrounding para swimming and athlete rights, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
Para swimming, like other Paralympic sports, operates within a complex framework of regulations, both national and international. Ensuring equal access to training facilities, competition venues, and sponsorship opportunities is crucial. Furthermore, specific classifications based on functional ability are essential for fair competition, and adherence to these rules is paramount. Athletes should be aware of their rights regarding classification, appeals processes, and anti-doping regulations.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insights underscore the critical balance required in para swimming: maintaining rigorous standards for fair play while simultaneously ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all athletes. This dedication to both the letter and the spirit of the sport is what ultimately allows these incredible athletes to shine. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this important topic.
This is her first World Para Swimming Championships, where she achieved qualification, leaving many others out of this event. Now, it’s time to review and change course.
Ricardo Prada, Coach
In addition to the 100-meter backstroke, Miranda competed in the 400-meter freestyle S7 class, finishing 12th with a time of 3:41.78. This time marked her best performance of the year in the event, highlighting her consistent improvement and dedication to her training.
While Miranda finished just outside the top 10 in both events, her coach, Ricardo Prada, expressed optimism about her future prospects. He emphasized the importance of continued planning and training as she sets her sights on upcoming competitions, including the 2026 Para Central American and Caribbean Games in Guanajuato, the 2027 Para Pan American Games in Lima, and the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
She is a swimmer in progress. She has a future, and now we have to continue planning her sports career looking ahead to the 2026 Para Central American and Caribbean Games in Guanajuato, the 2027 Para Pan American Games in Lima, and seek the qualifying mark for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
Ricardo Prada, Coach
Miranda’s journey to the World Championships began with impressive performances in previous competitions. In 2023, she secured gold and silver medals at the City Para Swimming World Series in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her consistent achievements have propelled her onto the international stage, representing Costa Rica as the sole para swimmer at the Singapore World Championships.
This experience in Singapore has provided invaluable exposure to the highest level of competition, further developing her skills and preparing her for the challenges ahead. As Miranda continues to train and compete, she is poised to become a leading force in Costa Rican para swimming and a strong contender on the global stage.
