Greg Wood/AFP
Age: 23
Sport: Triathlon
Trains: 4 to 5 hours a day
Hometown: Edmonton
Paula Findlay is hard-wired to win. She makes her Olympic debut this summer as the first Canadian woman to win a World Triathlon Series event, and the only one to win back-to-back world championships in her event. “I came onto the scene quickly,” she says. “My rise was steep and unexpected. I was ranked 53rd when I went on to win my World Cup race.”
Why this sport: “I love its diversity.”
Goals for London: “It’s my first Olympics. I have the potential to be on the podium, but I also know there are lots of really, really fast girls.”
Top workout tip: “Plan little tiny victories, day to day, to help push you toward bigger goals.”
Balancing act: “I’m fairly injury-prone, so I can’t train at my top level in running. But biking and swimming keep me fast.”
Diet: “I keep to the outer edge of the grocery store.”
Sweet tooth: “I’m a big chocolate fan. A little bite every day keeps me sane.”
Her motto: “Love what you do.”
Her secret to success: “I have no trouble working hard. If I want to be among the best, I’ve got to give my best.”
Her award-winning advice: “Always respect your competition.”
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