USA Triathlon has announced its 2020 US Paralympic Triathlon Team, comprised of the 17 athletes who will represent the United States at this summer’s Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
The Tokyo-bound team includes four defending medallists from triathlon’s debut at the Paralympic Games Rio 2016, five athletes who have won World Paratriathlon Championship titles, and three Paralympic Games medallists in sports other than triathlon.
“USA Triathlon is proud to bring 17 incredibly talented paratriathletes to Tokyo,” said Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. “Our athletes have demonstrated so much perseverance and grit on their way to this moment.
“They have stayed focused through the postponement of the Games and the many other challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This team is poised for historic performances on the world stage this summer, and we look forward to witnessing the culmination of their hard work.”
Amanda Duke Boulet, USA Triathlon Paralympic Program Director, said “After a four-medal showing in paratriathlon’s debut at the Rio Games, US paratriathletes have continued to raise the game – and now, heading into Tokyo, this crew is faster, stronger, and more competitive than ever before.
“These 17 athletes have already made us proud, and no doubt will do so again in Tokyo. I encourage the multisport community to tune into the Paralympic Games in August and cheer for these world-class athletes as they chase medals for Team USA.”
- Elizabeth Baker (Signal Mountain, Tenn.), guided by Jillian Elliott (Gig Harbor, Wash.), Women’s PTVI (2016 US Paralympian)
- Jamie Brown (Oceanside, Calif.), Men’s PTS4
- Kyle Coon (Colorado Springs, Colo.), guided by Andy Potts (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Men’s PTVI
- Hailey Danz (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Women’s PTS2 (2016 US Paralympic silver medallist)
- Amy Dixon (Encinitas, Calif.), guided by Kirsten Sass (McKenzie, Tenn.), Women’s PTVI
- Kelly Elmlinger (San Antonio, Texas), Women’s PTS5 (classing up from PTS4) (US Army veteran)
- Kendall Gretsch (Downers Grove, Ill.), Women’s PTWC (2018 US Paralympian (biathlon, cross-country skiing; 2 golds))
- Chris Hammer (Elkins, W.V.), Men’s PTS5 (2012 US Paralympian (track & field), 2016 US Paralympian (triathlon))
- Eric McElvenny (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Men’s PTS4 (US Marine Corps veteran)
- Grace Norman (Jamestown, Ohio), Women’s PTS5 (2016 US Paralympic gold medallist (triathlon), 2016 U.S. Paralympic bronze medallist (track & field, 400m))
- Allysa Seely (Glendale, Ariz.), Women’s PTS2 (2016 US Paralympic gold medallist (triathlon), 2016 U.S. Paralympian (track & field))
- Brad Snyder (Baltimore, Md.), guided by Greg Billington (San Francisco, Calif.), Men’s PTVI (2012, 2016 U.S. Paralympian (swimming; 5 golds, 2 silvers), US Navy veteran)
- Melissa Stockwell (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Women’s PTS2 (2016 US Paralympic bronze medallist (triathlon), 2008 U.S. Paralympian (swimming); US Army veteran)
Toyota is a USA Triathlon partner. It is also the title sponsor of the Toyota US Paratriathlon National Team, Toyota US Paratriathlon Development Team and Toyota US Paratriathlon Resident Team, based at the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Toyota served as the title partner for the Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships and in 2019 combining with the Challenged Athletes Foundation and USA Triathlon to offer the first-ever professional prize purse for the event. Toyota also directly sponsors select Team Toyota paratriathletes.
“Toyota couldn’t be prouder to help introduce the incredible athletes who have earned their place on the 2020 US Paralympic Triathlon Team,” said Dedra DeLilli, Group Manager, Sponsorship, Integration & Auto Shows at Toyota Motor North America.
“These athletes have exhibited such resiliency in the face of adversity, and we are so happy to see their journey take them to Tokyo. It’s been a long road to get to this moment and we wish them the best of luck as they represent our country on the world’s biggest sport stage.”
Paratriathlon made its debut as a medal event at the Paralympic Games Rio 2016. The US fielded a team of 10 athletes who earned four total medals, including a podium sweep in the women’s PT2 category — Allysa Seely taking gold, Hailey Danz silver and Melissa Stockwell bronze — and a gold for Grace Norman in the women’s PT4 category.
The paratriathlon sport classes have been revised since Rio: triathlon.org/paratriathlon/categories.
At the Paralympic Games, triathletes will cover a 750m swim, non-drafting 20km bike and 5km run. All races will be held at Tokyo’s Odaiba Marine Park, the same venue as the Olympic triathlon competitions.
The Paralympic triathlon events will take place Friday, August 27, and Saturday, August. 28, at 17:30 ET in the U.S. (Saturday, August 28, and Sunday, August 29 at 18:30 in Tokyo).
Paratriathlon medal events in Tokyo include PTWC men and women, PTVI men and women, PTS4 men, PTS2 women and PTS5 men and women. Athletes whose classifications are not included in the Tokyo Games are permitted to ‘class up’ and race in a higher category against athletes with less severe impairments, provided they meet qualification and selection criteria.
All U.S. Paralympic Team nominations are pending final approval by the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee. USA Triathlon’s Tokyo 2020 Media and Fan Guide will be produced and distributed in the coming weeks.
www.usatriathlon.org/tokyo2020
