Valley native ready for Paralympic Games

By JEFF OLIVER

For MVI Sports

Once again, Eric McElvenny will represent his country in a foreign land.

This time, he expects his journey to be a lot more enjoyable.

McElvenny, a Belle Vernon native and Bethel Park resident, will be part of the U.S. Paralympic Triathlon Team competing in the Paralympic Games Aug. 21-31 in Tokyo, Japan.

McElvenny, 38, qualified for the PTS4 Category — below the knee or below the elbow impairment — by competing in races around the world the last year in the hope of earning enough points to make the U.S. team.

“I ran a lot of grueling races with the top 10 point earners qualifying,” said McElvenny, a decorated member of the Marine Corps who served four tours in Afghanistan. In his last deployment in Helmand Province, he was wounded when he stepped on an IED.

The injury caused him to lose his right leg below the knee. 

McElvenny refused to let the amputation define him. He began training for ironman triathlon competitions and eventually became one of the top endurance runners in the country.

“It was a year-long process (trying to qualify for the Paralympics). When it was finished, a buddy of mine (Jamie Brown) and myself finished seventh and eighth,” he said. “We qualified and it was really a fantastic feeling.”

To read the rest of the story, please subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.