Champion in Wheelchair Basketball, Alpine Skiing Adds Sprint Kayaking
Duisburg, Germany – Today at the 2016 International Canoe Federation (ICF) Paracanoe World Championships and European Canoe Sprint Olympic Qualifier, Alana Nichols finished eighth in the world in sprint kayaking claiming her spot for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Paralympic Games. Representing the United States for a fourth time at the Paralympic Games, Nichols entered the Olympic qualifier three days ago moving into semi-finals yesterday. With only nine competitors moving into finals today, Nichols not only finished in third place in semi-finals, but had a personal best with a time of 56.24 seconds.
"It feels absolutely amazing to have qualified for my third Paralympic sport,” said Nichols about her results today. “I set out on this mission not knowing if it was possible and now the dream is coming true! The hardest work is still ahead but I couldn't be more excited to continue training for my fifth Paralympics Games.”
Career Highlights
2015 Duisburg, Germany: World Cup Bronze - Sprint Kayak 200m
2014 Sochi, Russia: Paralympic Silver - Alpine Skiing Downhill
2012 London, England: Paralympic 4th place - Wheelchair Basketball
2011 World Champion - Downhill Super-G
2011 Paralympic Athlete of the Year
2011 Colorado Sports Woman of the Year
2010-12 Three-Time ESPY nominee
2010 Paralympic Winter Games - Two Gold: Downhill & Giant Slalom; Silver Super-G; Bronze Super Combined
2009 National Champion (Downhill & Super-G)
2008 Beijing, China: Paralympic Summer Games - Gold Wheelchair Basketball
About Alana Nichols
Alana Nichols is a world-class athlete with a passion for challenging herself and others. From a young age, her passion for sports and adventure has driven her and no matter what obstacle life throws her way, she takes a challenge head on. After suffering a spinal cord injury at age 17 while attempting a back flip on her snowboard, Alana quickly transitioned to adaptive sports. She is the first American female to win gold medals at both Summer (Wheelchair Basketball) and Winter (Alpine Ski Racing) Olympic/Paralympic Games. For more information on Alana Nichols, log on to www.alanajanenichols.com.