Fresh off the back of a European Championship win over the weekend, we are proud to announce that paratriathlon's Dave Ellis is our next Generation 22 athlete. Dave has represented ParalympicsGB in both swimming and paratri, but never Team England as the visually impaired category makes it's Games debut at Birmingham 2022.

An accomplished athlete, Dave almost fell into the sports that he now loves.

"I started swimming just to learn how to swim and be safe in water. I then got into tri many years later after being a sprint swimmer. 

"I got into para sport after I'd been out of swimming for a few years, I'd developed my eye condition during my late teens and kind of stopped swimming. Then found out about para swimming and slowly got involved."

Dave has less than 10% vision and races with a guide on all three disciplines of the triathlon race.

In 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2021, Dave took both World and European Championship titles. He also claimed silver at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final at Lausanne. Over his career he has recorded myriad gold medals in the PTVI category in both ITU World Cups and ETU European Championships.

Whilst he's had a highly successful career, it hasn't been without it's low points which Dave has had to dig deep to come back from.

"I still think missing out on a home Paralympics in London was a tough one to come back from. Although Tokyo was a little gutting how things turned out. 

He raced in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics alongside his guide Luke Pollard but a mechanical on the bike led to a DNF.

The pair bounced back in gold-medal winning fashion at both the European and World Championships in the remaining months of 2021.

When asked what his personal high was, he replies with a smile:

"I think maybe ITU World Champs in 2013 in London, was amazing to win Worlds and being in London there's was lots of people supporting. 

"Also gave me a lot of confidence after not really knowing if I should continue my journey as an athlete. 

" I was shocked really, I don't think you ever really expect it and achieving something amazing always takes time to settle in and believe that's it's really happened."

Having won another European gold in Poland last weekend, and officially being selected for Team England, 2022 has got off to a great start for Dave, with plenty more to look forward to.

"Looking forward to getting back to a normal race calendar, last year was a little restricted with COVID so it will be great just to get out and race, that's why we do all the training.

"I hope Birmingham will make up for missing out on London 2012, I'm sure it will be a great event with awesome support from the home crowd.

We then asked; what would being part of Team England mean to you?

"Will be a great honour, para events aren't fully in and this could be my only opportunity to be part of Team England so will try to enjoy every moment of it.

"Will be fantastic to be part of this event and medalling would really top off the year. Would help to put Tokyo behind us and be a little redemption."

Dave wants to Bring It Home for his young nephews who have never seen him race.

We cannot wait to see Dave competing at Birmingham 2022, and hopefully he can add a Commonwealth gold to his expansive medal collection. He is certainly one to watch at the Games and a welcome member of our #Generation22.