Main content
Anastasia Pagonis: Gold medal influencer
The blind swimmer breaking records and stereotypes. Anastasia Pagonis collects medals in the pool and followers online
The blind swimmer breaking records and stereotypes. After losing her vision as a teenager, Anastasia Pagonis broke the world record to take Paralympic gold in Tokyo. Now, she uses her platform as a social media star to break down stereotypes.
Illustration: A bright coloured background of yellows and orange on the top and turquoise blue splashing up from underneath. A swimmer is rising mid stroke. her painted fingernails are visible, she is wearing a swimming hat with Pagonis on the side and blacked out swimming goggles (Illustration by Phil Smith)
Last on
Sat 2 Jul 202201:32GMT
BBC World Service East Asia
Broadcasts
- Wed 29 Jun 202203:32GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East Asia & South Asia
- Wed 29 Jun 202204:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
- Wed 29 Jun 202210:32GMTBBC World Service
- Wed 29 Jun 202218:32GMTBBC World Service Online & News Internet only
- Wed 29 Jun 202221:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
- Wed 29 Jun 202222:32GMTBBC World Service Europe and the Middle East
- Sat 2 Jul 202201:32GMTBBC World Service East Asia
Podcast
![]()
On the Podium
The stories behind the medals. Find out what it takes to get to the Games

