US Rugby Star Cassidy Bargell Competes at Elite Level with Ostomy Bag
American rugby player Cassidy Bargell continues to compete at the elite level despite undergoing a colectomy in 2021 due to severe acute ulcerative colitis, which left her with an ostomy bag. The Harvard-educated scrum-half, who previously served as co-captain of her university team, faced significant physical and mental challenges, including multiple abdominal surgeries and a torn ACL. She describes adopting an 'antifragile' mentality to overcome the fear of contact sports with a stoma, using protective padding and compression belts during matches. After recovering, Bargell debuted with the US senior national team in 2024 and played in the World Cup. She currently balances XV rugby with Sevens, preparing for upcoming World Series events in Valladolid and Bordeaux. Bargell aims to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and uses her platform to challenge misconceptions about life with an ostomy, inspiring others with similar health conditions to pursue athletic dreams without limitation.
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