WSEN Spotlight Athlete: Tatyana McFadden ~ Wheelchair Racer

Our spotlight athlete of the week is Tatyana McFadden. McFadden is one special athlete who has gone from an orphanage to the Paralympic medal stand, and from a child without a wheelchair to one of the fastest wheelchair racers in the world. Most recently, McFadden has done what no other athlete has accomplished, capturing the marathon “Grand Slam.”  McFadden took home her 4th marathon trophy of 2013, winning the ING NYC Marathon in 1:59:13.  She also won in London, Boston and Chicago.

NEW YORK — American Tatyana McFadden has completed an unprecedented marathon “Grand Slam.”

The 24-year-old Maryland resident won the New York City Marathon women’s wheelchair race after taking the titles in Boston, London and Chicago in 2013. No other athlete has won those four races in the same year. McFadden also was the 2010 champion in New York.

Born with a spinal defect and left at a Russian orphanage as a baby, McFadden was adopted by an American family and got involved in swimming, basketball and track. She’s a senior at the University of Illinois.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland won the men’s wheelchair race on Sunday.

For more about Tatyana, click here to visit her official website