From Army Nurse to Paralympic Triathlete

For a warrior who’s already topped so much adversity, 30 mile-per-hour winds weren’t going to stop Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) ambassador Kelly Elmlinger from qualifying for the most prestigious stage in adaptive sports. 

Kelly faced gusts stronger than your typical light breeze at a recent bike race in Montreal to earn a spot in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where she’ll compete in the Paratriathlon events Sept. 1-2 for the U.S. The Army veteran clocked in only a little slower than her time in perfect conditions the previous year. 

"I don't think I'd have been able to have that bike performance last year in comparison to this year," Kelly noted proudly.  

Bumps in the road – whether on the bike or in her journey – are nothing new to Kelly. She deployed three times to Afghanistan and Iraq as a medic, routinely flying and driving to crash sites to help evacuate wounded soldiers. She spent 14 years on active duty. 

Upon return, she earned her orthopedic nursing degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, then worked at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, the Army’s only Level 1 trauma center. BAMC houses the Center for the Intrepid rehabilitation facility for those recovering from amputations and burns.  

Then, in 2013, she became the patient. She was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects soft tissues that connect, support, and surround bones and organs. 

“It was dormant for years,” Kelly recalled a few years ago when she first detailed her journey with WWP™.  “It was no wonder they missed it and no wonder no one ever saw it.” 

Doctors attempted to save her left leg in numerous procedures to remove the cancer, but life wasn’t getting better. In 2017, doctors amputated her leg, putting her in the same hospital unit where her patients received rehab. 

“I wanted to come work in San Antonio so badly, and here I was having all these things to offer, and realizing they were meant to help me deal with my own stuff,” Kelly said.   

More Than Competition 

Fitted with a prosthetic leg, Kelly returned to running, her first love in sports, rather quickly.  

Three weeks after getting a running prosthetic, she completed a triathlon in Texas and, in 2019, qualified for national Paralympic competitions. She earned a spot on the U.S. National Paralympic Team at the 2020 games in Tokyo, calling it a “double win” that she was able to compete at a national level. 

“It felt like I’m winning a race, and I’m also winning at life. I have a place here,” Kelly said. “I had someone tell me, ‘You’ll never run the same again.’ I tucked that away. This feels pretty darn normal.” 

Her new normal, preparing for the 2024 Paralympics, is a whirlwind of daily training. From a grueling 7:30 a.m. swim to bike sessions, contrast baths, and recovery techniques like dry needling, Kelly is laser-focused on improvement. 

Now retired from the military, the 45-year-old is coming off a nine-race winning streak. She won the 2023 World Championship, according to the U.S. Paralympic Triathlon Team, and is racing up a classification this time.  

The Paralympic Games are scheduled from Aug. 28-Sept. 8 and will showcase the abilities of up to 4,400 athletes across the globe. Athletes will compete in more than 20 sports, with events spread across iconic Parisian landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Chateau de Versailles, and the Grand Palais. 

As part of the U.S. team, Kelly will contribute to a legacy of excellence in the Paralympic triathlon. The U.S. has won the most triathlon medals in Paralympic Games history, with nine since the sport’s debut at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. In the 2020 games in Tokyo, the team secured three gold medals, more than any other country. 

Kelly said her experience in Tokyo gives her a unique edge and insists that adaptive sports continue to be more than just a competition. They’ve been a significant part of her physical and mental well-being. As she prepares for another Paralympic Games, her goals remain clear and grounded. 

"Any time I go to a race, the first goal is to finish. … The second one is, go as hard as I can,” Kelly said. “Every day is different. It doesn't matter. Whatever I've got that day, I'm going to give." 

Contact: Julian Routh, Public Relations, jrouth@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.544.0195 

About Wounded Warrior Project 

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.