Paralympian
Marlon Shirley
Paralympian 2008
Athlete Bio
Hometown
Tremonton
Education
Abandoned by his mother at age three, Shirley found a way to survive by living with other kids on the streets of Las Vegas. He eventually found his way into the foster care system, but tragedy struck again at age five when he lost his left foot in a lawn mower accident. Several years later, a high school football injury resulted in the further amputation of the lower section of the same leg. Shirley owns the world record in the 100-meter dash and has earned the designation as the only amputee to break the 11-second barrier in that race. Shirley trains at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.