Chris Hammer

Started: He took up Para triathlon in 2013 at age 27 in Utah, United States of America. (utahtribuzz.blogspot.com, 03 Jul 2016; Athlete, 18 Jan 2015) Reason: He thought his running style would be well suited to triathlon. "Growing up, hockey was my favourite sport, being from Michigan, but I was comparably a much better runner. I loved to compete, so as I raced, the more I fell in love with it. I was a collegiate runner, but had no swim or competitive cycling background when I started the sport." (Instagram profile, 02 Apr 2023; news.asu.edu, 28 Jun 2022; usatriathlon.org, 19 Sep 2014) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (livingwithamplitude.com, 2024) Awards: While at Grand Valley State University in the United States of America, in 2007 and 2008 he received the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference [GLIAC] Commissioner's Award. The award is presented to student-athletes who show academic and sporting excellence. (senatornation.com, 01 Jan 2021) Additional Info: MOVE TO ARIZONA In late 2021 he moved from West Virginia to Arizona to join USA Triathlon's Project Podium programme. In January 2022 he began working as project coordinator for academic enterprise enrolment at Arizona State University. "This is the first time in my life I will be taking a professional approach to being an athlete. Up until this point, I have always either been a full-time student or had a full-time job while simultaneously pursuing sport. Now, outside of family, triathlon is the priority in my life." (news.asu.edu, 28 Jun 2022; triathlete.com, 07 Jun 2022; LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2022; Facebook profile, 03 Dec 2021) COACHING During the 2018/19 season he began working as head triathlon coach at Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia, United States of America. He has also coached at Good Boys Running Club in Denver, CO, United States of America. He holds a level two coaching certification from USA Triathlon, and has served as a member of the USA Triathlon National Coaching Committee. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2022; senatornation.com, 01 Jan 2021; runnersroost.com, 10 Dec 2019) FURTHER EDUCATION He has studied for master's degrees at Eastern Washington University [sport psychology] and the University of Utah [business administration], as well as for a PhD in sport psychology at the University of Utah. (news.asu.edu, 28 Jun 2022; LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2022; utahtribuzz.blogspot.com, 03 Jul 2016; Athlete, 18 Jan 2015)