Exeter's Victoria Arlen Earns Silver in Paralympics

Exeter swimmer Victoria Arlen earned a silver medal in her first Paralympic competition today that featured a down-to-the wire finish.

Arlen, 17, attends Exeter High School. She was cleared to race in London today after a regarding the extent of her disability. Arlen is paralyzed from the waist down after she was afflicted by the spinal cord disease transverse myelitis.

The Telegraph of London reported Arlen was edged out by British swimmer Ellie Simmonds, who has dwarfism. Simmonds beat out Arlen by just one second.

Arlen, a 17-year-old swimmer who attends , was declared not disabled enough by the International Paralympic Committee earlier this week. U.S. officials appealed the ruling, allowing her to compete. The IPC ruled today that she was eligible to compete.

Arlen is scheduled to compete in the following races on the following dates:

• 50-meter freestyle, Tue., Sept. 4
• 100-meter breaststroke, Wed., Sept. 5
• 100-meter freestyle, Sat., Sept. 8

Per protocol, Paralympic officials will review her performances during those races to determine if she's still eligible for them, the Telegraph reported.