Dave Ellis

Started: He was first introduced to Para triathlon at a talent identification day in February 2013. (paralympic.org, 01 Sep 2019) Reason: "I stopped doing sport for a couple of years [after his Stargardt disease diagnosis], but got back into swimming in about 2005 and was then classified as eligible to race in Para swimming." He later switched to Para triathlon after missing out on qualification as a swimmer for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. "I'd never really run before, trying to pick up not just cycling but running as well was difficult and challenging but it all seemed to go quite well." (DHB YouTube channel, 25 Jul 2022) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (britishtriathlon.org, 03 Oct 2023) Additional Info: EYES ON PARIS After being unable to finish the triathlon race at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo due to a mechanical issue during the cycling leg, he has set his sights on claiming gold at the 2024 Games in Paris. "Some of the bike stuff [in Tokyo], it was a tandem we had not raced that often. Now we've raced on it for four years nearly. So, we'll learn that lesson. A lot of the other stuff, it's just quite different and separate to the rest of the Paralympics. It will be such a different all-round competition [in Paris]." (britishtriathlon.org, 03 Oct 2023) RETIREMENT THOUGHTS He considered quitting Para sports after missing out on qualification as a swimmer for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. "Getting over the disappointment of not competing in London took me some time to get over. I struggled to even watch the Games, I didn't want to be around it, but I ended up going down to watch one of my girlfriend's races in the end and managed to experience the atmosphere in the pool. I went through an eight-month period where I was pretty lost, and I didn't know whether I should still try to be a swimmer or just get a job." (paralympic.org, 25 Feb 2019)

Sporting Relatives: His brother used to swim at national level as a junior. (britishswimming.org, 20 Jan 2010)