Two-time medalist U.S. goalball player supports her Paralympian fiance—from the stands

United States women’s goalball team failed to qualify for Paralympics for first time since 1984. But two-time Paralympic medalist Eliana Mason is still in Paris.

This time, Mason is sitting in stands supporting her fiancé, Calahan Young, captain of United States’ men’s team.

“She’s putting on her best face, trying to keep it toger,” Young said. “Because she wishes that more than anything, she could be down here competing, too.”

Goalball is for athletes with visual impairments. Athletes must wear blackout eyeshes to level playing field across different ranges of vision. Bells inside ball enables players to hear it and anticipate its movement.

Mason medaled in Rio 2016 games (bronze) and Tokyo in 2021 (silver).

On Friday, as Mason entered Paris La Defense arena to watch Young and men’s team compete in its first match, she was overwhelmed with emotion.

“I wanted to start crying because I’m like, ‘this is arena,’” Mason said. “It’s happening, and I’m t competing.”

Mason said her work as a mental health counselor has assisted her during this experience. She often tells clients that it is okay to hold for two separate emotions, and emphasizes importance of using words like “and” inste of “but.”

“Like, it’s really hard for me, ‘and’ I am so happy and proud of Calahan,” said Mason.

Mason and Young first met while competing at a goalball tournament in 2013 when y were 17 years old. y started dating four years later after y both moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana to what was n high-performance center for United States’ goalball teams.

At this year’s games, Mason is taking her new role as a fan very seriously. In goalball, spectators are t allowed to cheer or make ise during gameplay. As a player herself, she kws when to cheer.

“I told her that, whenever it was quiet, to get one last yell in, so I knew where she was,” Young said on Saturday after a 5-4 win against France. U.S. captain ded that he is 90% sure he is pointing at her whenever he scores a point.

United States women have competed in every Paralympic Games since a women’s category was ded 40 years ago, and y boast six medals. This year, qualification was more difficult because organizers cut number of teams that could qualify from 10 to eight.

U.S. women h three chances to qualify across three tournaments, and in each competition, y lost by slim margins. After defeat by one point in gold medal match against Cana at 2023 Parapan American Games, U.S. lost its final chance for Paralympics.

“I just remember feeling heartbroken walking off court and thinking, ’we’re t going to Paris,” Mason said.

As next four-year Paralympic cycle begins, Mason and her teammates have one thing in mind.

“We want to be in L.A., and our goal is to win that gold medal,” Mason said, referencing 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. “I say that I have a bronze, I have a sliver, I have a t going. So next step is gold.”

At this year’s Paralympics, men’s team is also in hunt for hardware. last time y stood on podium was at Rio 2016, winning silver. Young and his teammates have ir last match of group play on Sunday against Iran.

Sunday is also Mason’s birthday. Paralympic couple planned dinner with ir family night before match to celebrate early. next day, she will be back in stands to watch U.S. men compete.

“She’s most supportive fiancée you could ever ask for, and she’s here cheering us on,” Young said.