Stefan Daniel

Started: He first tried triathlon at age nine in Kelowna, BC, Canada, but did not begin training seriously until 2013. He had run in local road races with his parents from a young age, and then began competing himself, winning national titles at junior level against non-disabled athletes. He had begun swimming at age eight. (outandbackdoor.com, 09 Aug 2021; sportbrand.ca, 01 Sep 2019; paralympic.org, 06 May 2016; triathloncanada.com, 29 Mar 2014) Reason: He was eventually inspired to take up triathlon after watching his father compete in Ironman events throughout North America. "I started out as a competitive Para swimmer and really wanted to make a Paralympics in swimming. However, I always loved running and never wanted to give it up. When it was announced in 2013 that triathlon would be added to the Paralympics in Rio, I knew I had a chance to make the team if I focused on the sport. 2013 was my first full-on triathlon season." (paralympic.ca, 11 Aug 2021; outandbackdoor.com, 09 Aug 2021; triathloncanada.com, 29 Mar 2014) Ambition: To win a gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (sportbrand.ca, 01 Sep 2023) Milestones: He became the first Canadian Para triathlete to win a medal at the Paralympic Games when he claimed silver in the men's PT4 event at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 27 Aug 2021; outandbackdoor.com, 09 Aug 2021) Awards: He was named Male Athlete of the Year at the 2022 Alberta Sport Awards in Canada. (alberta.ca, 01 Apr 2023; Instagram profile, 09 Apr 2023) In 2020 he was named Elite Triathlete of the Year by Triathlon Canada. (triathlonmagazine.ca, 09 Jan 2020) In 2020 he was named Para Triathlete of the Year by Triathlon Magazine Canada. (triathlonmagazine.ca, 09 Jan 2020) In 2014 he received a Para Triathlon Male Excellence Award from Triathlon Canada. (wireservice.ca, 30 Jan 2015) In 2013 he was named Canadian Male Para Triathlete of the Year and Para Triathlete of the Year in Alberta, Canada. (triathloncanada.com, 29 Mar 2014) Additional Info: LESSONS FROM RIO He became the first Canadian triathlete to win a medal at the Paralympic Games when he claimed silver in the men's PT4 event at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. "Looking back, after realising that I had a pretty bad swim and a pretty bad bike - I came off the bike in fourth or fifth - I could have easily just packed it in and settled for fourth or fifth. But I really hung in there and dug deep and did the best I could on the run, and was able to win a silver versus lose the gold. I guess that's the best way to put it. I was proud of myself for not giving up and not letting the negative energy from the swim and the bike affect my run, and I really worked hard to earn that silver. So, I've come to be pretty proud of it. That experience definitely helped me mature." (calgarysun.com, 23 Aug 2021) SIBLING INSPIRATION He draws inspiration from his older brother Christian, who has cerebral palsy and has represented Canada in Para swimming. "I give all the credit to my brother. He doesn't see his disability as a disability and his is more severe than mine. If he didn't teach me that, I wouldn't be able to do this. There would be times when I'd be competing in able-bodied racing where I'd think to myself, 'I shouldn't be here'. My brother taught me not to let anything limit you. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. My brother was one of the slower swimmers in the club, but he always had a smile on his face, always worked harder than everyone else. It rubbed off on me. He didn't care what he had, he just wanted to do the best he could with what he had." (runningmagazine.ca, 17 Mar 2021; tokyo2020.org, 21 Jul 2020)

Sporting Relatives: His older brother Christian represented Canada in swimming at the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, ON, Canada. His grandfather won a gold medal in rowing at the Canada Summer Games, and also ran the Boston Marathon in the United States of America at age 75. His father Chris played professional football in the United States of America and Germany, and represented Canada at international level. His father has also competed in the Ironman triathlon world championships. His mother Sue ran the Boston Marathon in 2005 and completed an Ironman triathlon in 2009. (runningmagazine.ca, 17 Mar 2021; Athlete, 27 Nov 2015; triathloncanada.com, 29 Mar 2014)