Claire
McLean

The only 2016 Australian Para-triathlon team member with Paralympic experience, Claire McLean first began competing in cycling in 2003.

In her first year of competition she won gold in the road time trial at the UEC European Road Championships in Athens, Greece. After making her Paralympic debut the following year at the Athens 2004 Games, where she proudly won silver in the road time trial, Claire went on to win gold in the road race at the 2006 UCI Road World Championships in Salzburg, Austria. She lists this achievement as her greatest to date, explaining that it was a true test of her strength and character.

Having long participated in triathlon recreationally, the 2005 UWA Sports Star of the Year and 2007 WAIS Disabled Athlete of the Year began competing at an international level in 2012 after missing out on selection for the London 2012 Games.

As a PT4-classified athlete, Claire won bronze at the 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series in Auckland, New Zealand and, though well-placed for a strong performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, she placed ninth in a field of 11, posting a time of 1:19:46.

Claire’s left arm became paralysed in a motorcycle accident at 19, and while it took her some time to adjust, she still periodically goes mountain biking with her husband.

Outside of Para-triathlon, Claire is employed as a legal advisor, and in her spare time she enjoys being at home with her husband and two dogs.