As the Paralympic Games draw nearer, the excitement is palpable, with the event garnering more media attention and global recognition than ever before. This growing buzz is not only well-deserved but long overdue, as these athletes showcase unparalleled resilience and athleticism. At Parity, we’re proud to highlight the accomplishments of our roster of exceptional athletes who are poised to capture the world's attention. Here are five Parity athletes you won’t want to miss as they make their mark on this historic stage.
Source: Dana Mathewson
Name: Dana Mathewson
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Sport: Wheelchair Tennis
School: University of Arizona
Position: Queen of the Court
Representing: Team USA
Paralympic Team: #3
Follow Dana: @dana.mathewson
Dana is currently ranked #1 in the US, and is no stranger to the big stage. Paris will be her third Paralympic Games, and she is a two time Para Pan American gold medalist. She was also the first US woman to win a major wheelchair tennis title, taking the top step in doubles at Wimbledon in 2022. When she was 10 Dana was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune condition, transverse myelitis, which left her paralyzed from the waist down. She credits her mom with putting her in a variety of adaptive sports before she fell in love with wheelchair tennis at age 13. Dana loves the problem solving side of tennis, and that there is always more to learn. She also loves that tennis is one of the only sports that puts wheelchair tennis and able bodied on an equal platform: every major tournament has a wheelchair bracket. Even at this stage of her career, Dana is constantly looking for ways to improve. Off the court Dana loves baking and everything active, and being a dog mom to her adorable cockapoo, Riley.
Source: Femita Ayanbeku
Name: Femita Ayanbeku
Hometown: Boston, MA
Sport: Track and Field
School: American International College
Distance: 100m, 200m
Representing: Team USA
Paralympic Team: #3
Follow Femita: @femitaayanbeku
Femita is the US’ fastest amputee sprinter, and her career has taken on a whole new purpose since the birth of her daughter in January of this year. Qualifying for her third Games just six months after the birth of her daughter has not only inspired her to new heights, but has inspired the whole world. Femita’s own world first stopped spinning when she was in the backseat of a car with her cousins that crashed into a guardrail, resulting in the necessary amputation of Femita’s leg when she was only 11. It took Femita all the way until college to feel comfortable wearing shorts, and exposing her prosthetic. But once she did? Everything started to change. Femita received her first running blade at age 23 from the Challenged Athlete Foundation & Össur. She took off sprinting and has never looked back. In addition to being a world championships medallist and American record holder, Femita is the first Victoria Secret sponsored amputee, and is a passionate advocate for body positivity and mental wellness.
Source: Courtney Ryan
Name: Courtney Ryan
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Sport: Wheelchair Basketball
Classification: 2.0 Point
School: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Arizona University
Representing: Team USA
Paralympic Team #2
Follow Emily: @courtneyryan_55
Courtney was an All-American soccer player at MSU Denver when an injury during her junior year left her paralyzed from the waist down. Sports were already such a huge part of who Courtney was, so the question wasn’t if she would continue her journey as an athlete, but how. She found her new home in wheelchair basketball at the University of Arizona and the rest is history. She quickly became one of the nation’s top players, becoming a Paralympian in 2021 with a young team eager to prove themselves. This time around, Courtney knows she and the team are in a different spot. Courtney helped lead the team to a bronze medal at world championships in 2022, and Para Pan American Gold in 2023. The Paris squad is a seasoned group, with talent, experience and high expectations of one another. When she’s not competing for Team USA, Courtney coaches at her Alma Mater (University of Arizona), and dreams up what tattoo she’ll add to her beautiful collection. Courtney is also the-founder of the Team PossAbilities Shield Maidens, California’s only women’s wheelchair basketball team.
Source: Kaleo Maclay
Name: Kaleo Kanahele Maclay
Hometown: Oahu, HI
Sport: Sitting Volleyball
School: DeVry University
Position: Setter
Representing: Team USA
Paralympic Team #4
Follow Kaleo: @kaleomaclay
If you need directions around the Paralympic village, or need a Team USA fast fact, Kaleo is your girl. She started training with the Team USA sitting volleyball squad when she was just 12 years old, becoming a Paralympian for the first time in London. She first got the magic phone call when she was only 16. Kaleo had started able bodied volleyball even earlier, but her love affair with sitting volleyball didn’t start until her family realized she was eligible. Kaleo was born with clubfoot, and pins placed through her toe and heel bones left Kaleo with limited calf flexibility and muscle. Sixteen years later Kaleo’s passion for sport still burns just as brightly as it did then, with some shiny accessories to show for all of her dedication. She is a three time Paralympic medallist (winning gold in both Rio and Tokyo), and is hoping to help lead Team USA to a three-peat in Paris. Off the court Kaleo is a mom of two beautiful children, and the owner of Cookies by Kaleo, an adorable custom cookie making operation!
Source: Team USA
Name: Kate Brim
Hometown: Lowell, MI
Sport: Cycling
School: Southern New Hampshire University
Specialty: Road Race & Time Trial
Representing: Team USA
Paralympic Team: #1
Follow Kate: @quadkate
If you ever meet Kate, it’s hard to grasp how many obstacles she has overcome to make her Paralympic debut: she is warm, friendly, adventurous and quick to laugh. In 2017, while undergoing a routine back surgery, Kate sustained a spinal cord industry that resulted in quadriplegia. Barely four years later, Kate was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Balancing training with managing her diabetes hasn’t been easy, but Kate is always looking for the next challenge, a bigger hill, a faster finish. She has found joy through both wheelchair rugby and cycling, particularly loving the feeling of independence and freedom she gets while on her bike. Kate burst onto the international scene in 2022, becoming a 2x World Champion in both the time trial and the road race. Since then Kate has been dominant in her class, and has her eyes set on the top step in Paris. She also races for Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s only pro cycling team that exclusively sponsors athletes with type 1 diabetes.
About Parity
Minority-founded in 2020, Parity's mission is to close the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports. By developing high-impact collaborations between brands, professional women athletes and their fans, Parity has proudly put more than $3.5 million in the pockets of women athletes, attracting dozens of brands to the movement in the process. The platform offers connections to more than 1000 women athletes from 80+ sports, including well over 200 Olympians and Paralympians. For more information on how to tap into the rapidly rising influence and popularity of women athletes, visit https://paritynow.co or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Threads.
