Grace Norman’s journey is the kind of story that grabs your heart and never lets go. Born without her left leg below the knee due to congenital constriction band syndrome, Norman received her first prosthetic leg before she even turned one. But if you think that slowed her down, think again. From the very start, Grace defied every expectation, proving that her spirit was stronger than any obstacle. She didn’t just compete; she made history, winning three Paralympic medals and becoming the first female Paralympic gold medalist in para-triathlon at Rio 2016.

Since then, the world has been captivated by her incredible journey. Now, with the Paris 2024 Paralympics fast approaching, Grace is more determined than ever to leave her mark once again. She’s not only aiming to reclaim her para-triathlon title in the PTS5 category but is also taking on the challenge of competing in the 400m on the track.  As she prepares for another shot at glory, Grace Norman isn’t just competing—she’s inspiring the world with every step.

“No” is Not a Limit to Grace Norman!

For Grace Norman, the word “no” is simply a synonym for “challenge.” Along her 26-year-long journey, she has heard it so many times that now it is fuel. A reminder to work even harder! “Don’t let one ‘no’ make you not follow your dreams, It can be really difficult. That doesn’t mean it’s a no. It just means that you’re going to have to work a little bit harder than the rest,” says Grace.

Growing up, Grace competed alongside able-bodied athletes. This could have been an obstacle that could have changed how this journey turned out. But for Grace, “Growing up competing against able-bodied athletes could have been a ‘no,’ instead, I took it as a challenge, and it’s made me stronger than I ever thought I could be.” And no doubt, strong she is.

Grace Norman started her journey early. And she started it with a bang! She was named the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field High School Female Athlete of the Year in 2015. She then went on to redefine her own limits and earned All-American honors. Grace’s debut at the TU World Triathlon Para Championships was one to remember. She missed the podium that day but a fifth-place finish at just 16 was only the beginning for a legend in the making. It wasn’t long before Grace made her mark on the global stage. By the end of 2016, she was both a World and Paralympic champion.

Now, as she preps for her third Paralympic Games, she is focused. Her goal? Reclaim the title she narrowly missed at Tokyo 2020 by just 0.81 seconds. Putting her in the second place. Medals aren’t the only thing Grace is looking forward to. She is looking forward to the crowd. “It’s electric, and you just feel it. When I’m having a good race, it just feeds me. I love hearing yelling, and cheering. I love seeing my family. It gets me excited and helps me relax. And when I’m relaxed and smiling, I’m having a good race. It’s almost like free energy,” she added.

The Grace “Goat” Norman Alter Ego

Grace Norman’s wins and medals aren’t the only things that set her apart from other athletes. Unlike most athletes, Grace did not grow up solely focusing on sports. She was instead juggling two worlds. Grace spent her early years on a 23-acre farm in rural Ohio where she was a champion goat shower. “My family [were] prideful goat showers, [we] took home many championships,” says Grace.

This was not a mere hobby. For 12 years, she trained farm animals for competitive shows. “It was a big part of my routine as a kid. We would wake up before school to feed the animals. After school you have to feed them and take them for walks or practice with them,” she recalled. And it wasn’t just goats. “Pigs are especially difficult,” she added.

One of Grace’s most cherished memories involves a pig breaking free and sprinting straight at a judge. “if the pig touches the judge, you get disqualified. I think the judge dodged the pig as it was sprinting throughout the arena. I was just standing there like… that one’s mine,” she playfully added. After that pigs were not her thing. Goats, however, remain a favorite.

What makes Grace Norman a whole lot more impressive is none of this. Six months after aging out of the competitive farm circuit, she won the para-triathlon PT4 crown at Rio 2016. As she prepares to take it to the track at Paris 2024 Paralympics, ready to take on one “no” at a time.