Biography
Started: She competed in her first triathlon in September 2008. Her first competition after her illness was in April 2011. (allysaseely.com, 06 Jun 2012)
Reason: In her first year of university she decided that instead of making a New Year's resolution, she would make it her goal to do something new every year. Her first choice was competing in a triathlon, and she immediately fell in love with endurance sports. Following her illness she was determined to resume competing. "I really fell in love with the sport, the culture, the community. I stuck around [in triathlon] for a lot longer than I anticipated. The more I did triathlon, the bigger goals I started to set for myself." (ruffwear.com, 07 Jun 2022; triathlete.com, 18 May 2020; allysaseely.com, 06 Jun 2012)
Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. "I will continue sport for as long as I love it, as long as my body allows me to do it. After Paris, it's going to be very, very hard to walk away from an opportunity for a home Games [Los Angeles 2028]." (nbcsports.com, 25 Jul 2023)
Milestones: She was the first female triathlete to win two Paralympic gold medals. She was victorious in the women's PT2 event at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and in the women's PTS2 category at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Two male triathletes have achieved the same feat [Martin Schulz of Germany and Jetze Plat of the Netherlands]. (SportsDeskOnline, 24 May 2024)
Awards: In 2019 she was named Best Female Athlete with a Disability at the ESPY Awards in the United States of America. (12news.com, 11 Jul 2019)
Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES
In November 2021 she was elected vice chair of the World Triathlon Athletes Committee. She has also served as an athlete advisor at USA Triathlon. (Facebook page, 02 Mar 2022; triathlon.org, 06 Apr 2022, 15 Nov 2021; bendybodiesportpodcast.com, 2021)
FURTHER EDUCATION
She has a master's degree in psychology, exercise and wellness from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ, United States of America. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2019)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderFemale
Birth DateJanuary 4, 1989
Place of ResidenceGLENDALE, AZ
OccupationAthlete, Motivational Speaker
EducationBiology, Psychology - Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
Languages SpokenEnglish
Highlights
PARA TRIATHLON
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 1 | PTS2 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 1:14:03 |
| 1 | Women's PT2 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | 1:22:55 |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | PTS2 | 2018 | Gold Coast, QLD, AUS | 1:17:54 |
| 1 | Women's PT2 | 2016 | Rotterdam, NED | 1:23:46 |
| 1 | Women's PT2 | 2015 | Chicago, IL, USA | 1:25:03 |
| 2 | PTS2 | 2019 | Lausanne, SUI | 1:25:18 |
| 2 | PTS2 | 2017 | Rotterdam, NED | 1:24:50 |
| 3 | PTS2 | 2023 | Pontevedra, ESP | 1:15:48 |
| 3 | Women's TRI-5 | 2012 | Auckland, NZL | 1:17:43 |
| 4 | Women's PT3 | 2014 | Edmonton, AB, CAN | 1:36:29 |
PARA ATHLETICS
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 6 | 200m - T36 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | 32.40 |
