Croissants and Commentary #7: The Paralympics — From Rehab Event to Elite Global Competition

Today, Sara and Kelly turn the spotlight on the Paralympic Games — taking place in Paris just three weeks after the Olympics.

With its start as a British rehabilitation event post-World War II, the Paralympics has since turned into a bonafide global sporting spectacle with elite athletes competing in many of the same events as their Olympic counterparts.

We're joined by USA Triathlon's Paralympic Program Manager, Lindsey Jerdonek, as well as two USA Paralympic legends, Oksana Masters and McKenzie Coan, who share insights into the challenges, misconceptions, and goals for the continued growth of the Games.

The discussion on the past, present, and future of the Paralympics includes:

• Some of these athletes' personal journeys
• Building a genuine fan base for Paralympic sports
• The classification systems in paratriathlon and other para-sports to ensure fair competition
• Unique obstacles faced by aspiring para-athletes, including the lack of resources and the needed equipment
• How do para-athletes even get into the Paralympic pipeline?
• Creating more exposure, equality, and inclusion for these athletes!

As McKenzie Coan says, "Paralympic athletes are the same elite-level competitors, just like our Olympic counterparts, but we just happen to have physical differences."

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20th, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Eternal: Get 15% off services with code FEISTY15 at https://eternal.co/

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/