Two TWENTY16 Ridebiker athletes have been named by USA Paralympics to represent Team USA at Rio Olympics in August. Reining time trial World Champion, Jamie Whitmore and Olympic gold & silver medalist Megan Fisher have been selected.
“Never give up on your dreams! Today is the result of a 32 year dream!” commented Whitmore, ” I’m excited and honored to be named to the US Paralympic cycling team for Rio!”
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, named the roster of 18 cycling athletes who will compete as part of Team USA at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games from September 7-18.
Team USA will have the largest cycling team of any country at the Games due to its standout performances at major competitions over the past four years. Individual athletes were selected based on their performances at key international and domestic events throughout the 2015-2016 season, including the 2016 U.S. Paralympics Cycling Team Trial on July 2 in Charlotte, N.C.
“Representing Team USA in Rio is a dream come true. I have worked hard to earn this opportunity, but I know that I wouldn’t be living out my dreams without countless people who are often behind the scenes.” said Fisher, ” I believe we are all capable of more than we know, and I am more motivated than ever to perform at my best.”
Whitmore and Fisher are members of TWENTY16 Ridebiker, the UCI and junior development team. TWENTY16 was the first US professional team to recruit Para-Athletes. ” I am incredibly happy for these two exceptional athletes” mentioned Nicola Cranmer, General Manager. ” These women have been working extremely hard to make the Rio squad, they now join Chloe Dygert and Kristin Armstrong from TWENTY16 Ridebiker representing USA at the Olympics.
About Jamie Whitmore
Jamie is from Sacramento, California where she grew up swimming competitively. She then turned to running in High School, which earned her a scholarship to California State University, Northridge. After earning a degree in Criminology, she decided to give Triathlon a try! It was at this time she met her husband, Courtney who got her started in Mountain Biking. At the end of 2001 she turned pro in both Mountain Biking and Xterra (off-road triathlons!) For nearly 7 years, Jamie dominated the Xterra scene both in the U.S. and overseas. She racked up 37 Championship wins (more than any other female or male at that time), 6 U.S. Championship Titles and 1 World Title.
In 2008 she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, which was wrapped around her sciatic nerve. She lost the use of most of her left leg with a condition called “drop foot.” She also lost the use of her hamstring and glute muscle. After three years and twin boys, she returned to competition as a paracyclist. In the last 3 years she has won 9 World Titles (on the road and on the track) and set 2 world records in the 500TT and the 3K pursuit. Because of these great results, Jamie was nominated and won an ESPY for Best Female Athlete With A Disability. Besides being a mom and paracyclist, she also runs her own triathlon coaching business helping others reach their goals. Jamie can also be found sharing her story as a motivational speaker around the world.
About Megan Fisher
Meg moved to Montana for college and now calls it home after an eclectic childhood split between her mom’s home in Chicago, Illinois and her father’s family farm in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. Between her freshman and sophomore years at Montana, Meg was involved in a tragic car accident that left her with severe injuries, ending her collegiate tennis career, and claimed the life of her best friend. Due to complication from the accident, Meg had to make the hard decision to have her leg amputated. It was the right decision and less than one year after having her leg amputated Meg competed in her first triathlon. That one triathlon smashed barriers and showed Meg that she could do anything she set her mind to. In 2010, Meg earned spots on both the US National Triathlon and Cycling Teams. Currently, she is only racing cycling events. Gold Medal London 2012 Paralympic Games- Individual Road Time Trial. Silver Medal London 2012 Paralympic Games – Individual 3k Pursuit
Meg’s athletic drive and desire to be the best has taken her far. In 2014, Meg earned her doctorate in Physical Therapy. When she’s not training or racing, Meg can be found guiding patients through their own recovery. Meg also enjoys public speaking and sharing her story with schools and organizations across the country.
The 2016 U.S. Paralympic Cycling Team roster is as follows:
*Denotes previous Paralympian
| Name | Class | Hometown |
| Samantha Bosco | WC5 | Springhill, Fla. |
| Alicia Dana | WH3 | Putney, Vt. |
| Megan Fisher | WC4 | Missoula, Mt. |
| Allison Jones | WC2 | Colorado Springs Colo. |
| Oksana Masters | WH5 | Louisville, Ky. |
| Shawn Morelli | WC4 | Leavenworth, Kan./Army |
| Jennifer Schuble | WC5 | Homewood, Ala./Army |
| Jill Walsh | WT2 | Syracuse, N.Y. |
| Jamie Whitmore | WC3 | Mount Aukum Calif. |
| Joseph Berenyi | MC3 | Oswego, Ill. |
| Ryan Boyle | MT2 | Monroe, Ct. |
| Thomas Davis | MH4 | Fremont, Ind./Army |
| Will Groulx | MH2 | Portland, Ore./Navy |
| Will Lachenauer | MH3 | Reno, Nev. |
| Billy Lister | MC1 | Cold Spring Harbor N.Y. |
| Jeffrey Scott Martin | MC4 | Oceanside, Calif./Marine Corps |
| Oscar “Oz” Sanchez | MH5 | San Diego, Calif./Marine Corps |
| Brian Sheridan | MH2 | Clarkston, Mich. |
The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games is expected to be the largest to date, with more than 4,500 athletes from 176 countries expected to compete.
