Tricia

Downing

Quick Facts

• Sixteen years after her fate changed drastically, Tricia Downing is now preparing for one of the pinnacle moments in her life as a 2016 U.S. Paralympic Team Member. Out cycling on September 17, 2000, she was hit head on by a car that left her paralyzed from the chest down, requiring a wheelchair for mobility. The injury reignited her passion for sports as evidenced by the 100 races, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons, she’s competed in since her accident. She was the first female paraplegic to complete an Ironman Triathlon and qualified for the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in 2006 and 2010. In 2011, she competed as part of the U.S. Rowing team at the World Championships in Bled, Slovenia. Injuries and pain led her to try the sport of shooting in November 2014 and it helped satisfy her need for an athletic challenge as well as the continual satisfaction she derives in sport. She finished 17th in a 2015 World Cup event in Croatia
• Married to Steve Donovan
• Has four brothers, Andy, Greg, James and Sam
• Hobbies include cycling, air pistol, reading, writing and painting
• Was a tandem pilot before her accident and competed in the 1998 World Disabled Cycling Championships
• Wrote her memoir, Cycle of Hope in 2010
• Qualified for the Hawaii Ironman two times as a paratriathlete
• Was the press officer for the USA Table Tennis team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and for the USA Swimming team at the 1997 World University Games in Italy
• Before becoming a professional speaker, she taught high school in the Denver Public Schools
• In 2011, she competed as part of the U.S. Rowing team at the World Championships in Bled, Slovenia.

Career Highlights

• 2015 World Cup (Osijek), 17th (P2 – 10m Air Pistol SH1), 38th (P3 – 25m Pistol SH1), 25th (P2 – 10m Air Pistol SH1), 52nd (P3 – 25m Pistol SH1)

Paralympic Experience

• 1-time Paralympian;
• Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, 19th (P2 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 - Women)

More

Personal Website

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2019 – 12th (P6 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 - Team - Open), 25th (P2 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 - Women), 39th (P3 - 25m Pistol SH1 - Open), 48th (P4 - 50m Pistol SH1 - Open)
• Years of participation: P2 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 - Women 2018, 2019; P3 - 25m Pistol SH1 - Open 2019; P4 - 50m Pistol SH1 - Open 2019; P6 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 - Team - Open 2019; Arms Only Single Sculls - Women 2011
• Top finish: 10th – 2011 (Arms Only Single Sculls - Women)