Kelly Elmlinger

Started: She began competing in Para triathlon in 2017. "I have a very long and complicated medical history and went five years without the ability to run. It was only three weeks after getting my first multi-purpose [prosthetic] leg when I entered a triathlon as an amputee." (teamusa.org, 04 Oct 2019; usmes.org, 31 Dec 2018) Reason: She grew up competing in athletics and basketball, and wanted to stay involved in sport after her amputation. "Adaptive sports have helped fill the void running meant to me. It's made the greatest impact as it allows me to gain the same benefits running did for me. Without a doubt, adaptive sports has allowed me to physically and mentally overcome the hurdles associated with my illness and injury. One of the [reasons for deciding on amputation] was, hey, once I cut this leg off, I'm going to run, and I'm going to get into triathlons. During my military career, I've had a passion for learning the entire processes. For me, triathlon fits my personality and mindset very well." (newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org, 01 Jul 2021; teamusa.org, 04 Oct 2019; usmes.org, 31 Dec 2018; 2017 Invictus Games Athlete Bio Booklet, 17 Sep 2017) Awards: She was named 2018 USA Paratriathlon Developmental Athlete of the Year. (spectrumlocalnews.com, 05 Aug 2021) She lit the torch during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Warrior Games in West Point, NY, United States of America, to signify the beginning of the event. (ncojournal.dodlive.mil, 23 Jun 2016) Additional Info: ARMY SERVICE In 1998 she joined the US Army during her second year at Tiffin University in Ohio, United States of America. She spent most of her military career serving as a combat medic with the 82nd Airborne Division, including a tour to Afghanistan and two tours to Iraq. She ended her military career as a surgical nurse at Brooke Army Medical Center [BAMC] in San Antonio, Texas, not long after starting her sporting career in Para triathlon. "Spending 20 years in a military uniform, it was hard to think about not representing my country in an 'official' uniform. Para triathlon has allowed me to continue to 'serve' in a different capacity. I love my country and love representing this sport, my family name and especially, our country." (newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org, 01 Jul 2021; teamusa.org, 04 Oct 2019; usmes.org, 31 Dec 2018; army.mil, 17 Apr 2017; espn.com, 03 May 2016) NURSING EXPERIENCE She says her experience as an army nurse helped to prepare her for the amputation of her leg. "I wanted to care for wounded warriors, it was my mission. I wanted to give back that understanding of battlefield experience. I'd seen so many soldiers try limb salvage and fail for years before they finally had to amputate. But my injury wasn't combat-related. We weren't trying to put pieces back together. I thought I had better odds. I knew at that point [when she was diagnosed with cancer], based on all the people I had been taking care of, that this was a game-changer." (The Coach Scott Fields Show YouTube channel, 21 Jul 2021; teamusa.org, 04 Oct 2019; army.mil, 17 Apr 2017; espn.com, 03 May 2016) OTHER STUDIES She has also studied at the University of Texas at Arlington in the United States of America. (2017 Invictus Games Athlete Bio Booklet, 17 Sep 2017; Facebook profile, 30 Dec 2016)