Michellie
Jones

With nearly 30 years’ experience in triathlon, including a silver medal win at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, two-time world champion Michellie Jones was first introduced to Para-triathlon in 2014 when she was invited to present the Australian team with their racing suits.

The following year head coach Corey Bacon asked her to take on the role of guide to Para-triathlon powerhouse Katie Kelly and, after only having met four days prior, together they won gold at a 2015 ITU World Triathlon Series event in Yokohama, Japan.

As her eyes, 47-year-old Michellie helped Katie to win her first world title in 2015, and in doing so secured a qualification spot for Australia at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where Para-triathlon was making its debut.

Posting a time of 1:12:18, Michellie and Katie raced more than a minute faster than second-placed Alison Patrick and Hazel Smith to win Australia’s first ever Para-triathlon gold.

Outside of Para-triathlon, Michellie’s accolades are extensive. On top of her Olympic medal and world championship title wins, she was also the first Australian woman and second Australian in history to win a World Ironman Championship, and in 2014 she became only the second triathlete ever to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

In her spare time the California local enjoys participating in equestrian events. She names Australia as her favourite holiday destination.