Here’s The Freehold Native Competing In The Tokyo Olympics

FREEHOLD, NJ - Over 500 athletes from all over the United States are already landing in Tokyo for the 2021 Olympics, and four Monmouth County locals - including one from Freehold - are part of the lineup.

Robert Griswold, a graduate of Freehold Township High School (‘15), holds multiple American records in backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle, and will compete as part of the U.S. Paralympics Swimming team this year. He joins fellow Monmouth County Olympians Morgan Pearson (Spring Lake), Ajee Wilson (Neptune) and Jessica Springsteen (Colts Neck). Read more: Bruce Springsteen's Daughter Named To Olympic Equestrian Team

The 24-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, began his journey in the water when his parents took him to the Ocean County YMCA at the age of six, thus propelling him to the competitive track by age nine, according to his Team USA profile.

Griswold later formed a clinic at age 16 to educate locals about adaptive swimming and athletic opportunities for those with physical disabilities. He graduated from Carson-Newman University in 2019 with a degree in political science.

Now with numerous accolades under his belt including a bronze medal for the 100m backstroke at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Griswold is prepared to take on his greatest challenge yet in Tokyo.

The Olympics begin with an opening ceremony on Friday, July 23 and end Sunday, Aug. 8.