Melissa Nicholls

Started: She took up Para triathlon in 2019. She began competing in the sport in 2022. (britishtriathlon.org, 21 Apr 2024; tri247.com, 23 Feb 2024; independent.co.uk, 13 Jul 2023) Reason: "It's happened by accident. I'm a wheelchair racer and a handcyclist. I've never been a swimmer. I'd do a bit of swimming as part of my recovery in the pool but that was about it. I joined my local triathlon club just for a bit of social time really, to train with other people. I was training on my bike and it was just to get in the pool and maybe learn to swim a bit better. There was a bit of talk about me doing a triathlon but, to be honest, I had no plans to do it. Even though I am experienced in two of the three elements, triathlon is very different. It's a different set of skills you need and the courses are very technical." (britishtriathlon.org, 21 Apr 2024; independent.co.uk, 13 Jul 2023) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (tri247.com, 23 Feb 2024; independent.co.uk, 13 Jul 2023) Additional Info: SWITCH TO TRIATHLON Having competed in athletics at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games, she later got involved in handcycling and completed challenges including cycling from Land's End to John o' Groats in Great Britain. She joined her local triathlon club in 2019 and entered her first triathlon in 2022. "When I cycled around the coast of Britain I was completely unsupported. That was a huge challenge - but still in my comfort zone. I am used to suffering in horrific weather, riding through the night and finding bus stops to sleep in. That is where I'm most comfortable but put me in the sea or a lake where I have to swim to start a race - that is way out of my comfort zone. I would say this is my biggest challenge. I hadn't closed the door to another Paralympic Games but I hadn't considered that I would go to another either. It has all been a bit of a whirlwind, the last year [2022/23]. Obviously I'd love to podium in Paris [at the 2024 Paralympic Games], that is the ultimate goal." (britishtriathlon.org, 21 Apr 2024; independent.co.uk, 13 Jul 2023) OTHER ACTIVITIES She is a founding member of the Warwick Wheelchair Racing Academy in England, which was set up in July 2011. (warwick.ac.uk, 31 Jul 2011)