American Women Take Gold, Silver AND Bronze In First-Ever Paralympic Triathlon

Three Americans claimed the gold, silver and bronze medals in PT2 class of the first-ever women’s triathlon in the Paralympics on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.

Allysa Seely, 27, was first to complete the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and 5-kilometer run in 1:22:55. Hailey Danisewicz, 25, took second place at 1:23:43 and Melissa Stockwell, 36, finished in1:25:24 to complete the Americans’ medal sweep.

As Stockwell crossed the finish line, Seely and Danisewicz waved an American flag, The Associated Press noted.

Stockwell lost a leg from a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, making her the first female solider to lose a limb in combat, the AP reported.

She reflected on competing on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“The 15th anniversary of September 11, every year it’s a meaningful day for me,” she said. “To be here representing the USA, with the USA uniform on, on the world’s biggest athletic stage — when it got really tough out there, I thought of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and didn’t make it back and they pushed me to the finish, wanting to give my thanks to them.”

Paralympic events are divided into categories based on the athletes’ levels of mobility. American Grace Norman won gold in the PT4 women’s triathlon Sunday.