30-year-old Carson Clough lost part of his leg in a boating accident in 2019. He had to learn how to stand, walk, and run again.
Two years later, the Charlotte native competed in his first-ever triathlon.
Since then, Carson has participated in national and international races and eventually qualified for the Paralympics.
"I'll swim, bike, and run. So the whole triathlon, and it's a sprint distance, so it's about a half-mile swim, a half-mile bike, and then a 3.1-mile run," he told ABC11 affiliate WSOC.
Carson said he spends 25 to 30 hours a week physically training to prepare for the games.
"Just a new challenge. And it is every day ... A very new challenge," he said.
Carson is the only American para-triathlete that qualified. He will be competing in the Paris Paralympics in September.