Brian Siemann

Started: He began wheelchair racing at the Mountainside Lightning Wheels club in New Jersey, United States of America. (teamusa.org, 01 Dec 2016) Reason: He was encouraged to take up wheelchair racing by his high school coach Joe McLaughlin during his freshman year. "He [McLaughlin] said, 'If you're willing to give it a go, I will, too'. So I went out, not knowing what I signed up for." (teamusa.org, 01 Dec 2016) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (usparatf.org, 17 Aug 2023) Additional Info: MEDAL DROUGHT ENDED He competed at the world championships for the first time in 2011 and made his Paralympic Games debut in 2012. He went on to make multiple appearances at the world championships and was part of the US team at both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, but he was unable to secure a podium finish at any of the events. He finally broke his duck at a major tournament by securing two bronze medals at the 2023 World Championships in Paris, France. "To see my name there, medalling is the cherry on top of all of the work that you've done to get to that point. It's a tangible reflection of that work and the time that you've spent doing everything." (usparatf.org, 17 Aug 2023) SIBLING MARATHON He is a quadruplet. In 2016 he competed in the New York City Marathon in the United States of America with his three sisters Amanda, Maria, and Jessica. He raced in the wheelchair division while they ran the course. "I've always talked about the sense of accomplishment I get from finishing the New York City Marathon, and I think that's what motivated them to do it. I think for us to do this all together in a sport we never even considered doing when we were younger is a huge highlight in our lives." (runningmagazine.ca, 07 Nov 2016; tcsnycmarathon.org, 01 Nov 2016; teamusa.org, 23 Aug 2012) OCCUPATION He works as an access specialist in the Disability Resources and Educational Service at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States of America. He previously completed a master's degree in special education at the university. (collegemagazine.com, 27 Jul 2023)