Paula Findlay
A triathlete who battled through devastating injury to reclaim her place among the world's best in the sport.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Canadian triathlete·Birthday: May 26·Millennials
Biography
Paula Findlay's trajectory in triathlon was meteoric. As a young athlete from Edmonton, she rocketed to the top of the world rankings with a stunning series of World Championship Series wins, becoming Canada's great hope for the 2012 Olympics. Then, a hip injury derailed everything just weeks before the London Games, leading to a heartbreaking last-place finish. What followed was a grueling decade defined not by that single setback, but by a profound and public perseverance. She switched coaches, moved to train in the U.S., and methodically rebuilt her running form. Her comeback peaked with a dramatic victory at the 2023 PTO Canadian Open, a full-circle moment that proved her resilience. Findlay's story is one of raw talent tempered by immense struggle, making her successes later in her career deeply earned.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Paula was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Paula Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Paula's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three consecutive ITU World Championship Series races in 2011, catapulting her to world number one.
- Claimed victory at the 2023 PTO Canadian Open, a major professional triathlon.
- Represented Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, finishing in 29th place.
Did You Know?
She was a competitive cross-country skier in her youth before focusing solely on triathlon.
She studied nursing at the University of Alberta during the early part of her career.
Her partner is American triathlete Sam Long.
“The comeback is always greater than the setback.”
