Born: 1988 (Nanjing, China)
Scout Bassett (born Zhu Fuzhi; August 18, 1988) is an American Paralympic Track & Field Athlete. Bassett spent her first seven years of life in a government-run orphanage in Nanjing, China after she was found abandoned on the side of a street following the tragic loss of her right leg in a chemical fire as a newborn baby. While growing up, she made a makeshift prosthetic leg using leather belts and masking tape and began to walk, aged six, but never went outside of the orphanage in which she was being raised. Bassett was adopted in 1995 by an American couple from Michigan.
Early Life
After being adopted just shy of her eighth birthday, Bassett grew up in Harbor Springs, Michigan. On growing up in Harbor Springs, Bassett recalls They were so unaccepting of me, she says. The girls were so noninclusive and mean, and being the only Asian in an all-white school was not fun. Scout buried herself in books, plowing through as many political biographies as her brain could digest, and sports, which felt like the easiest and most direct route to assimilation.
After completing high school, Bassett attended UCLA on a full scholarship. She graduated in 2011 with degrees in Sociology and Anthropology.
Paralympic Career
Bassett’s journey as a Paralympic athlete began when she started playing soccer at the age of ten. At the age of 14, she participated in the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which granted her a prosthetic running leg. This marked the start of her athletic career. At the age of 18, she attended the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California.
Bassett initially competed in triathlons and achieved great success. In the 2011 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships, she won three silver medals and one bronze medal. This competition held special significance for Bassett, as she traveled to China for the first time since she was adopted.
However, Bassett transitioned to track and field before the paratriathlon event was introduced in the 2016 Summer Paralympics. She faced numerous challenges along the way. In her quest to qualify for the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, she dedicated herself to a full season of athletic training. Unfortunately, she finished last in the 100m at the US Championships, failing to make the team. This setback nearly led her to quit track and field.
Determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a Paralympian, Bassett made a pivotal decision in 2015. She moved to San Diego to pursue full-time training, breaking national records in the T42 classification. Her persistence paid off when she qualified for and competed in the 2016 Summer Paralympics. Although she finished fifth in the 100m and tenth in the long jump, her participation in the prestigious event was a testament to her resilience and unwavering spirit.
In 2017, Bassett continued to excel in the world of Para Athletics. She successfully competed in the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London, United Kingdom, showcasing her talents on a global stage.
Awards:
– Three silver medals and one bronze medal in the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships (2011)
Scout Bassett’s remarkable journey from an abandoned baby in a Chinese orphanage to representing the United States at international athletic competitions is a testament to her courage and determination. Her story serves as an inspiration to individuals facing adversity and stands as a powerful example of the human capacity to overcome challenges and achieve greatness. Bassett’s contributions to Paralympic sports and her trailblazing spirit make her a prominent figure in women’s history and a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide.