Mel Pemble

Started: She was first identified as a cycling prospect at age 14. She competed at provincial level in Canada but later switched to Para alpine skiing. She continued practising cycling as cross-training for skiing. After competing at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, she decided she wanted a new challenge and switched to Para cycling. (cbc.ca, 12 Nov 2022) Reason: "As soon as I started [Para cycling], I set my sights on Paris [Games in 2024]. It's always been in the back of my mind. But I think it was really my international debut in 2022, where I was at the point where I was like, 'OK, this is looking a bit more realistic now." (paralympic.ca, 08 Aug 2024; cbc.ca, 12 Nov 2022) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (cbc.ca, 12 Nov 2022) Awards: In 2022 she was named Women's Para Cyclist of the Year by the readers of CanadianCyclist.com. (paralympic.ca, 01 Oct 2023) She was named the 2016 Adaptive Snow Sports Athlete of the Year in British Columbia, Canada. (NPC Media Guide, 01 Jan 2018) She took part in the ceremonial flag procession ahead of the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, BC, Canada. (bcgames.org, 17 Oct 2014) Additional Info: SWITCH TO PARA CYCLING She has represented Canada in Para alpine skiing, including at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. In 2020 she decided to switch to Para cycling, having first been identified as a potential rider at age 14. She competed at the world championships for the first time in 2022 in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France, where she won two gold medals. "I am so glad I made the switch. I was just talking to my parents and saying how I almost didn't, I almost decided to stop sport altogether. The fact that I've had this happen so early on in my cycling career is very exciting. I'm so glad that I ended up making the jump. It was a pretty quick decision. I just kind of felt like I had got to the point in skiing where I made my goals. I always kind of thought I might transition into doing that [cycling] full-time and 2020 seemed like a good year to do it [due to the COVID-19 pandemic]. A lot of people said it was a terrible year to transition because there was no competition, but I enjoyed getting some cycling fitness because it's so different in such a different sport." (paralympic.ca, 01 Oct 2023; cbc.ca, 12 Nov 2022) FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO CANADA Born in Lancashire in Great Britain, in 2009 she moved to Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. (cbc.ca, 12 Nov 2022; shaw.ca, 16 Nov 2015)