In a stellar year, American Tatyana McFadden became the first athlete to win six gold medals at a single IPC Athletics World Championships, winning all the T54 events she entered, from 100 metres through to 5,000 metres. In addition, the amazing 24-year-old made history by becoming the first athlete to complete the marathon Grand Slam, winning all four major marathons – Boston, Chicago, London and New York.
Born in St. Petersburg with spina bifida, her natural mother abandoned her in an orphanage. For the first six years of her life she had to walk on her hands. She was seen by Deborah McFadden, on a visit to Russia as a Commissioner of Disabilities for the US Health Department, who adopted her.
