2 Additions to U.S. Paralympic Triathlon Team Including Two-Time Paralympic Gold Medalist Allysa Seely
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by USA Triathlon
Allysa Seely crosses the finish line at World Triathlon Para Series Swansea.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon today announced an update to the 2024 U.S. Paralympic Triathlon Team roster. Two-time Paralympic gold medalist Allysa Seely (Glendale, Ariz.) and Paralympic newcomer Rachel Watts (St. Joseph, Mo.) have been added to the roster of elite paratriathletes who will represent the United States at this summer’s Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
Seely, who will race in her third Paralympic Games in Paris, received one of the 16 Bipartite invitations available from the Bipartite Commission, which is formed by World Triathlon and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) that ultimately approves the proposals. The objective of the invitation is to offer a balance between quality and universality while considering the eligibility provisions and extraordinary circumstances that may have affected athletes during the qualification period.
Watts joins the team via a country slot reallocation. Their additions to the team now give the U.S. a roster of 17 elite paratriathletes and two guides who will race this September at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Seely is currently ranked No. 3 in the world in the World Triathlon Paralympic Qualification Ranking in women’s PTS2. Seely won gold at triathlon’s Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and defended her gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games to become the first female two-time Paralympic gold medalist in triathlon. Seely is also a three-time World Paratriathlon champion, and in 2019 won an ESPY for Best Female Athlete with a Disability.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to compete in my third Paralympic Games. It has never been an easy path, but I love this sport and am so excited to be able to line up in Paris to show the world what my team and I have been able to accomplish and what I am made of,” Seely said.
Watts competes in the women’s PTS3 classification. In Paris, women’s PTS3 athletes will race in the women’s PTS4 event. Watts, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2018, made her elite paratriathlon debut in 2023 at the USA Triathlon Paratriathlon National Championships. She raced at her first World Triathlon Para Series event this May in Yokohama, and earned her first Para Cup victory in June at the World Triathlon Para Cup Taranto.
“I am so excited for the opportunity to represent the USA in Paris,” Watts said. “Paratriathlon has enhanced my life in so many ways and I am grateful to be a part of this sport.”
Triathlon at the Paralympic Games
Paratriathlon competition will span two days, Sept. 1-2 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The U.S. has won the most triathlon medals in Paralympic Games history with nine since triathlon made its Paralympics debut at the Rio 2016 Games. The U.S. Paralympic Triathlon Team won three triathlon gold medals at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, the most of any country, and has five triathlon gold medals across both the Tokyo and Rio Paralympic Games.
At the Paralympic Games, triathletes will cover a 750-meter swim, non-drafting 20-kilometer bike and 5k run. All races will be held in the heart of Paris, at the Pont Alexandre III bridge, the same venue as the Olympic triathlon competitions.
The competition on Sept. 1 will feature PTS5 (men's and women's), PTS4 (men's and *women's), PTS3 (men's), and PTS2 (men's and women's), with races beginning at 8 a.m. in Paris (2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT, Aug. 31). *Note: the Women’s PTS4 race will include both classes PTS4 and PTS3.
The competition on Sept. 2 will include PTWC (men's and women's) and PTVI (men's and women's), with races beginning at 8 a.m. in Paris (2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT, Sept. 1).
For streaming and broadcast information, visit NBC’s website here.
Athletes whose classifications are not included in the Paris Games are permitted to “class up” and race in a higher category against athletes with less severe impairments, provided they meet qualification and selection criteria.
To learn more about Team USA's journey to the Olympics, visit Making Team USA, presented by Xfinity!
About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
