LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS) — Matt Klotz, a USA Nationals’ deaf swimming athlete and LSU Tiger alumnus, is seeking public support to fund his trip to the Deaflympics in Tokyo this November.

According to GoFundMe, Matt Klotz was the first-ever deaf contestant featured on Big Brother 25, where he shared his struggles growing up; people told him he would never succeed.

Organizer Linda Klotz says the 2023 deaf world record holder has his eyes set on the 4th Deaflympic meet. However, according to the American Deaf Swim Team, “deaf sports do not receive any financial support from the US Olympic Committee or Federal Government.”

“Swimming became his focus and motivation in a world where he did not believe in himself because others didn’t.”

Linda Klotz says, “He never gave up and earned his BS in Kinesiology from LSU, where he swam as a D1 athlete. He has competed many times in USA Nationals, USA Olympic Trials, and the Deaflympics representing Team USA.”

She details that the trip will cost approximately $10,000 in fees, training, equipment, and travel expenses. The GoFundMe is set at $4,000.

Linda says if individuals prefer to donate for a tax-deductible expense, they can make a donation to the United States Deaf Swimming Team and add “IN HONOR OF MATT KLOTZ” in the notes so he receives the funding support.

The Deaflympics, taking place from November 15 to 26, 2025, in Tokyo.