April Holmes

Personal

A former track & field athlete at Norfolk State University, Holmes knew she was destined for a different career path after taking a job at a telecommunications company after college. After a tragic train accident in 2001 that resulted in the amputation of her left leg below the knee, she discovered the Paralympic Movement after her surgeon gave her a pamphlet with hopes of sport being an outlet to be active again and achieve the career she always wanted. Three months later, Holmes received her first walking prosthetic and one year after her accident, she participated in her first race at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, where she currently trains. ...Runs the April Holmes Foundation, Inc. a non-profit organization assisting people with physical and learning disabilities with scholarships and medical equipment…Co-authored her first book with Brian Tracy entitled, “The Winning Way” and is set to release her second book “Stop Limping Thru Life, Start Running” …Assisted First Lady Michelle Obama on the “Let’s Move” Campaign…Serves as an athlete ambassador on the United States Anti-Doping Agency and as a mentor for Classroom Champions…First female on the athlete roster representing The Jordan Brand and was the inspiration behind Air Jordan’s 2009 signature shoe with APT technology…Enjoys listening to musical artists ranging from Usher, Jay Z and Mary J. Blige to Phil Collins…Three weeks prior to her accident, she started on her master’s degree at Drexel University…Won numerous accolades, including the NCAA’s Inspiration Award, U.S. Olympic Committee’s Spirit Award, U.S. Paralympics Mentor of the Year and National Association of Black Journalist Pioneer Award.

Paralympic Experience

• 4-time Paralympian; 3-time Paralympic medalist (1 gold, 2 bronze)
• Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, (200m T44 - Women), 10th (100m T44 - Women)
• Paralympic Games London 2012, bronze (100m T44 - Women), 8th (200m T44 - Women)
• Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, (200m T44 - Women, Long Jump T44 - Women), gold (100m T44 - Women)
• Paralympic Games Athens 2004, bronze (Long Jump T44/46 - Women), 6th (100m T46 - Women), 7th (200m T46 - Women)

World Championship Experience

• Most recent: 2015 – 6th (200m T44 - Women), 7th (100m T44 - Women)
• Years of participation: 100m T44 - Women 2002, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2015; 200m T44 - Women 2002, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2015; 400m T46 - Women 2006; Long Jump T44 - Women 2006
• Medals: 5 (2 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)
• Gold – 2006 (100m T44 - Women, 200m T44 - Women)
• Silver – 2002 (100m T44 - Women)
• Bronze – 2013 (100m T44 - Women); 2011 (100m T44 - Women)