The Backstory:
Jarryd Wallace made his first appearance in the Paralympic competition world in 2011, at the Parapan American Games, just 15 months after having his lower leg amputated. What started out as a simple pain in his right shin, was quickly realized to be an effect of compartment syndrome and led to his decision to have a below the knee amputation. Wallace was a runner before the amputation, and he was determined to be one afterwards. After competing in 2011, Wallace went on to compete in the 2012 London Paralympic Games taking 6th place in the men’s 400m. In 2013 he competed in the World Championships earning two gold medals and beating three world records.
Away from cycling:
In 2019 he and his wife, Lea Babcock Wallace, welcomed their first baby. Though he misses not seeing his teammates as much, he is soaking up the extra time he has been able to spend with his family and stays in touch through social media.
In their own words:
“I can choose to wake up in the morning and put more pressure on myself, or I can choose to learn from where I’ve been and decide to move forward,” he said. “Not having that extra pressure can literally be the difference between being on the podium and being in the back of the pack.”
“I think the differentiator between good Olympians or Paralympians and the greats are the ones who are able to adapt.”
“Right now, we’re just enjoying absolutely every moment that we have together and being a dad has become the greatest joy of my life. Just having a little dude with his (eyes) watching you makes you that much more motivated.”
Learn more:
Team USA Page
IPC Page
Atlanta Track Club: “Losing A Leg, Regaining A Life: Sprinter Jarryd Wallace Joins Atlanta Track Club”
New York Times: “After Losing a Leg, New Races To Be Won”
Team USA: “One Year To Tokyo, Track Paralympian Jarryd Wallace Learning To Slow Down”
Medium.com: “The Story of Jarryd Wallace”
