Marlon Shirley (born April 21, 1978) [1] [2] is a paralympic athlete gold medalist from the United States competing mainly in category T44 events. He has been called the "fastest amputee in the world". [3] He is known for being the first lower extremity amputee to break the 11 second barrier in the 100 meters. [4] He has held world records in the 100M, the Long Jump, High Jump and the 200M. [4] [3]
At the age of five, Marlon was taken into state care by social services after living on the streets of Las Vegas. [5] Marlon's early life was spent in foster care around Las Vegas. While living in an orphanage in Boulder City, Nevada, he was involved in a lawnmower accident which resulted in his left foot amputation. His life was turned around at the age of nine when he was adopted by a family in Tremonton, Utah. [6]
Marlon's track and field athleticism was discovered in February 1997 at the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho. This turning point in his life was made even more remarkable because Marlon attended the event with a fractured leg bone. At the event, Marlon competed in the high jump, where he amazed Paralympic Coach Bryan Hoddle when he was able to break the 6’6" mark, beating the existing Paralympic record, all while jumping on one foot. Following the Simplot games, Hoddle invited Marlon to a Disabled Sports USA track meet, where Marlon cleared the high jump world record, and once again, and won $13,000 in prize money. He was subsequently invited by Hoddle to train in Olympia, Washington, as a paralympic athlete. Marlon has competed internationally in track and field events. [5] [7]
Marlon Shirley went on to compete in the 2000 Summer Paralympics long jump, the high jump- in which he obtained a silver medal, and in the 100m, where he made his mark by winning the gold medal. He was able to defend his 100m title in 2004 Summer Paralympics where he also competed and won a silver in the 200m, and a bronze in long jump. He competed in just the 100m at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, after battling several injuries and surgeries, but was unable to defend his title, due to a ruptured Achilles mid-race. [8] [9] Nevertheless, even with a ruptured Achilles, he crossed the finish line. [9]
Marlon has "helped design and test prosthetics, pushing the limits of tech that has gone on to help veterans and create a better everyday walking foot for amputees". [10] Marlon has been able to make "a lasting impact on people with disabilities" and is an inspiration to many. [9] He has been a role model in changing perspectives of definitions of disabilities. [10]
Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius is a South African former professional sprinter and convicted murderer. He was first convicted of culpable homicide of his then-girlfriend, which was subsequently upgraded to murder upon appeal. Both of his feet were amputated when he was 11 months old as a result of a congenital defect; he was born missing the outside of both feet and both fibulas. Pistorius ran in both nondisabled sprint events and in sprint events for below-knee amputees. He was the 10th athlete to compete at both the Paralympic Games and Olympic Games.
April Holmes is a Paralympic athlete from the USA competing mainly in category T44 sprint events.
Marie-Amélie Le Fur she is a French Paralympic athlete from Vendôme, Centre Region, competing in T44 sprint and F44 long jump events. Her left leg was amputated below the knee following a motor scooter accident in 2004. Before she lost her leg, she was a French junior running champion. As of 2023, Le Fur is the President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee.
Jonathan Peacock MBE is an English sprint runner. An amputee, Peacock won gold at the 2012 Summer Paralympics and 2016 Summer Paralympics, representing Great Britain in the T44 men's 100 metres event. He won a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.
Alan Fonteles Cardoso Oliveira is a Paralympian athlete from Brazil competing mainly in category T44 sprint events. Oliveira is a double-below-the-knee amputee, classifying him in the Paralympic T43 class; athletes in this class run in T44 event.
S8, SB7, SM8 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. This class includes a number of different disabilities including people with amputations and cerebral palsy. The classification is governed by the International Paralympic Committee, and competes at the Paralympic Games.
S10, SB9, SM10 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. Swimmers in this class tend to have minimal weakness affecting their legs, missing feet, a missing leg below the knee or problems with their hips. This class includes a number of different disabilities including people with amputations and cerebral palsy. The classification is governed by the International Paralympic Committee, and competes at the Paralympic Games.
S9, SB8, SM9 are para-swimming classifications used for categorizing swimmers based on their level of disability. Swimmers in this class generally have severe weakness in one leg. This class includes a number of different disabilities including people with amputations and cerebral palsy. The classification is governed by the International Paralympic Committee, and competes at the Paralympic Games.
T42 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics, applying to athletes with single above the knee amputations or a disability that is comparable. This class includes ISOD classified A2 and A9 competitors.
T43 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics, applying to athletes with "Double below knee amputation or similar disability." It includes ISOD classified athletes from the A4 and A9 classes.
T44 is a disability sport classification for disability athletics, applying to "Single below knee amputation or an athlete who can walk with moderately reduced function in one or both legs." It includes ISOD A4 and A9 classes.
T45 is disability sport classification in disability athletics for people with double above or below the elbow amputations, or a similar disability. The class includes people who are ISOD classes A5 and A7. The nature of the disability of people in this class can make them prone to overuse injuries. The classification process to be included in this class has four parts: a medical exam, observation during training, observation during competition and then being classified into this class.
T46 and F46 are disability sport classification for disability athletics. People in this class have a single below or above the elbow amputation. The amputee sports equivalent class is ISOD the A6 and A8 classes. People in this class can have injuries as a result of over use of their remaining upper limb. The classification process to be included in this class has four parts: a medical exam, observation during training, observation during competition and then being classified into this class.
Men's 100m races for amputee athletes at the 2004 Summer Paralympics were held in the Athens Olympic Stadium from 21 to 25 September. Events were held in three disability classes.
The 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships was the biggest track and field competition for athletes with a disability since the 2012 Summer Paralympics. It was held in Lyon, France, and lasted from 20 to 28 July. Around 1,100 athletes competed, from 94 different countries. The event was held in the Stade du Rhône located at the Parc de Parilly in Vénissieux, in Lyon Metropolis.
Brayden Duane Davidson is an Australian track and field para-athlete who competes mainly in the T36 classification events. He won a bronze medal at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships. At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, he won the gold medal in the Men's Long Jump T36.
A3 is an amputee sport classification used by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD) for people with acquired or congenital amputations. A3 classified sportspeople have both legs amputated below knee. Their amputations impact their sport performance, including having balance issues, increased energy costs, higher rates of oxygen consumption, and issues with their gait. Sports people in this class are eligible to participate in include athletics, swimming, sitting volleyball, archery, weightlifting, badminton, lawn bowls, sitzball and wheelchair basketball.
A4 is an amputee sport classification used by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD).for people with acquired or congenital amputations. People in this class have one leg amputated below the knee. Their amputations impact their sport performance, including having balance issues, increased energy costs, higher rates of oxygen consumption, and issues with their gait. Sports people in this class are eligible to participate in include athletics, swimming, sitting volleyball, archery, weightlifting, wheelchair basketball, amputee basketball, amputee football, lawn bowls, and sitzball.
Sarah Walsh is an Australian Paralympic amputee athlete. She represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and the 2024 Paris Paralympics. .
Mpumelelo Mhlongo is a South African sprint and long jump athlete and Paralympic Games record holder. Mhlongo won silver and bronze at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in the T44 men's 100 metres and long jump events.
