Athlete Bios - Chelsey Gotell - 2008 Paralympian

Chelsey Gotell is a world record holder in the 50 and 200 backstroke and competed at the 2007 Para Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro this past summer.  At these games, Chelsey won 2 gold medals in the 100m back (1:14.0) and 50m freestyle (28.56); 2 silver medals in the 100m freestyle (1:02.40) and 400m freestyle (4:57.50) and a bronze medal in the 200m IM (2:34.70).

Chelsey also competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne Australia and the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships in Durban, South Africa.  Chelsey collected bronze medals in South Africa in the 50 free and 100 back with times of 28.58 and 1:13.63 respectively.

In 2004, Gotell represented Canada at the Paralympic Games, and won a gold medal in the 100 backstroke and 3 bronze medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley.

Gotell began swimming competitively when she was eight years old, joining the Aquanauts Swim Club because a friend was a member.  She began competing nationally as a SWAD three years later and by age 14, had graduated to the international ranks by qualifying for the Paralympics.

Chelsey completed her second year at McMaster University studying psychology and she would like to one day become a sports psychologist.  She is also a member of the McMaster Marauders Varsity Swim Team, which is led by head coach Andrew Cole, a Dartmouth, N.S. native.  In the 2005/2006 season, Chelsey was the McMaster Marauder rookie of the year. 

Gotell’s long term swimming goals include qualifying for nationals in the Able-Bodied category as well as breaking the world record in the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke.  In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys shopping, hanging out with friends and watching and participating in various sports.