Mc ELVENNY Eric

Classification
PTS4 (World Triathlon, 25 Jun 2021)

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (koaa.com, 09 Aug 2021)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (koaa.com, 09 Aug 2021)

Impairment Details
In December 2011 he stepped on an improvised explosive device [IED] while serving in the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan. As a result of his injuries his right leg was amputated below his knee. (koaa.com, 09 Aug 2021; challengedathletes.org, 18 Jun 2020; espn.com, 12 May 2015)

General
MILITARY SERVICE
He began serving in the United States Marine Corps in 2006 and was deployed overseas three times before sustaining his injuries in 2011. "I decided I wanted to be a marine when I was growing up. In 2006 I was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. I became an infantry officer after about a year of training. We ended up doing three deployments. I did one to Southeast Asia, I did a deployment to the Middle East, and my third one was a deployment to Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Being military is something that was near and dear to my heart. I got to serve our country in combat and now I get to represent our country in athletic uniform." (koaa.com, 09 Aug 2021; challengedathletes.org, 18 Jun 2020; Global Triathlon Network YouTube channel, 23 Jun 2019; LinkedIn profile, 31 Mar 2015; espn.com, 12 May 2015)

TOKYO AMBITION
He set his sights on competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo following a conversation with US Para triathlete Jamie Brown in 2018. "He said to me, 'I know you are a fast guy and I think you would qualify for Tokyo if you gave it a real shot'. It is a bit of a process, and you have to travel around the world [for competitions] to accumulate points. I made it my goal to see if it was too late or not to qualify for Tokyo. Obviously, training was interrupted by the [COVID-19] pandemic, but I stayed strong." He secured a spot at the 2020 Games after placing first in the PTS4 event at the 2021 Americas Para Championships in Pleasant Prairie, WI, United States of America. "I had to win Pleasant Prairie to make it. The travel took a lot out of me. But it was worth it. Every year since I was little, I've watched the Olympics in awe. I looked up to the athletes and rooted for our country. Now I get to wear the colours and compete. I only have gratefulness and pride in my heart." (thealmanac.net, 08 Jul 2021; observer-reporter.com, 07 Jul 2021)

IRONMAN EXPERIENCE
His initial involvement in triathlon was in Ironman events, but he says adjusting his approach for the shorter distances at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo did not faze him. "[The Paralympic Games] don't actually have the marathon. I'm more of a triathlete so the sprint is going to be different [than in Ironman events]. You have to go fast the entire time. I've gotten good at longer ones, which include running a marathon. Though I'm trained to that level and distance, I'm cool with the sprint. I'll take anything." (observer-reporter.com, 07 Jul 2021, 05 May 2020)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
He has worked as a motivational speaker. "After running at an Ironman triathlon event, people asked me if I could share my story with their groups. People enjoyed it, and I realised it was inspiring others to tackle their challenges. So I kept doing it. I love meeting new people, and I get to speak to and spend time with some of the best audiences. I really love it when someone stays in touch and reaches out to me with questions, or to share with me that they reached one of their own goals. That warms my heart." (Facebook page, 06 Aug 2021; hfcc.edu, 24 Sep 2019; ericmcelvenny.com, 02 Feb 2018; LinkedIn profile, 31 Mar 2015)