Celebrating Female Athletes

Celebrating Female Athletes: Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Change

In February, as we celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, it’s a time to honor the achievements of female athletes, recognize their resilience, and acknowledge the importance of inclusivity in sports. For over 30 years, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) has been a proud supporter of countless female athletes, empowering them to overcome obstacles and excel in athletics. Today, we shine a spotlight on a few remarkable women who epitomize the spirit of perseverance and determination.

Oksana Masters

Meet Oksana Masters, a powerhouse in Paralympic sports. Born in Ukraine, both of Oksana’s legs were damaged by in-utero radiation poisoning from a nuclear reactor incident, along with several other birth defects. After being adopted and moving to the United States, Oksana ultimately had both legs amputated.

Her journey began at the age of 13 when she discovered her passion for rowing, igniting a lifelong love affair with sports. With an impressive collection of 17 medals, including 7 golds, Oksana has become an inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide. Since joining Team USA in 2012, she has consistently dominated the competition, breaking records and defying expectations.

Nicky Nieves

Nicky Nieves is another force to be reckoned with on the sporting stage. Nicky was born without a hand, with no obvious medical reason why. Regardless of not having a hand, she began playing sports in 6th grade and with strength and determination clinched a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Summer Games.

Inspired by her mother, she founded Limitless People Inc., a foundation aimed at promoting inclusivity in volleyball. Nicky’s commitment to her sport and her community exemplifies the transformative power of athletics.

Kendall Gretsch

Born with Spina Bifida, Kendall Gretsch is rewriting the narrative surrounding female athletes with disabilities.

Competing in both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, Kendall has amassed an impressive collection of 4 gold medals and shattered stereotypes along the way. As the first American woman to medal in biathlon, she continues to challenge perceptions of what it means to be an athlete. Kendall’s resilience and determination is sure to inspire athletes of all abilities.

Femita Ayanbeku

Femita Ayanbeku’s journey to athletic greatness is nothing short of extraordinary.

Femita lost her leg in a car accident at the age of 11 and after receiving her first Össur prosthetic at a CAF clinic in Boston, Femita embarked on a trajectory that led her to compete in all major world competitions representing Team USA, including Rio 2016 & Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, World Championships and ParaPan American Games.

In 2021, Femita became the first American amputee woman to be featured in Victoria’s Secret campaign.

Her passion for running inspired her to found Limb-it-less Creations, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting amputees.

Kelly Worrell

Kelly Worrell, CAF’s Northeast Program Director, exemplifies resilience and determination as a triathlete with a limb difference.

Overcoming numerous obstacles, Kelly has achieved remarkable success, representing Team USA and winning multiple awards.

As a USAT Elite Paratriathlete and hopeful for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Kelly aims to become the first US female athlete with an upper extremity disability to compete in Paratriathlon, inspiring countless individuals. With her passion for adaptive sports and commitment to mentorship, Kelly continues to pave the way for athletes with disabilities, demonstrating that anything is achievable with determination and creativity.

As we look ahead to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, let us celebrate the accomplishments of female athletes and continue to support their journey. Through their determination, these women are not only breaking barriers but also inspiring change.

Together, let’s champion inclusivity and accessibility in sports, ensuring that every athlete has the opportunity to pursue their dreams and make history on the world stage.

Sarah Reinertsen

Sarah Reinertsen is a former Paralympic track athlete and the world’s first female amputee to complete the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona. Sarah has won accolades for the USOC and ESPN Best Female Athlete with a Disability (in 1991 and 2006 respectively). She has also been named USAT Best Physically Challenged Triathlete of the Year in 2006. Sarah has been featured on the cover of Runner’s World among numerous other publications, including ESPN’s The Body Issue. In 2009, GPP Life published her book, “In A Single Bound”, which a touching, honest, humorous, and inspiring memoir of her life growing up as an amputee. 

Sarah continues to race in triathlons and road races around the world and is a member of the USAT National Paratriathlon team. She is a 3-time world champion in ITU short course triathlon and won the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in 2006. She is also an Ossur, CAF & Nike spokesperson.

Beyond being an author, athlete, advocate, international motivational speaker, and Ironman trailblazer, Sarah has served as motivation for countless athletes by demonstrating what she could accomplish in spite of being born with a bone growth disorder.

As we look ahead to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, let us celebrate the accomplishments of female athletes and continue to support their journey. Through their determination, these women are not only breaking barriers but also inspiring change.

Together, let’s champion inclusivity and accessibility in sports, ensuring that every athlete has the opportunity to pursue their dreams and make history on the world stage.