Local paratriathlete a trailblazer at Commonwealth Games

A local Sault athlete will be one of the first Canadians to compete in the paratriathlon at the Commonwealth Games.

Jessica Tuomela, 38, was on Canada’s Para swimming team at the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008 games, and she swam to a silver medal at the Sydney 2000 games.

After a hiatus, Tuomela returned to international competition nine years later, this time, in the paratriathlon

“This is a very strong team gearing up for Birmingham,” says Scott Stevenson, executive director, Team Canada 2022. “We expect to challenge perennial strong fields for medals in all Triathlon events.”

This is the first time Canada’s paratriathlon program will compete at the Commonwealth Games, held this year in Birmingham, England.

Canada will field a team of six athletes for the women’s and men’s individual triathlon events, July 29 and the mixed relay, July 31.

Tuomela had a fifth-place finish in the paratriathlon at the qualifying competition. 

She will be racing in the women’s visually impaired category (PTVI) with her new guide, Emma Skaug.