Taryn Dickens
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Australia |
| Born | 2 June 1982 |
| Sport | |
| Country | Australia |
Taryn Dickens (born 2 June 1982) is an Australian para skier with a vision impairment.[1] She competed in biathlon and cross-country skiing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics. She became the first Australian female to compete in biathlon.[2]
Personal
Dickens was born on 2 June 1982 in Brisbane, Queensland. In 2017, she enlisted Weapons Rate Electronics Technician in the Royal Australian Navy. In her mid thirties, as an Able Seaman in the Royal Australian Navy she started to experience degenerative vision loss. [3]In 2019, she was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy.[4] After her diagnosis, Gigi, became her assistance dog. She is married to Dee.[4]
Skiing
In 2023, she was classified as B3 vision impaired skier. Her military background led to her taking at biathlon so that she could participate at the Paralympics. She took up skiing in May 2022 and after two weeks of learning to ski competed in the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek. Dickens first tri military service biathlon competition as at Exercise Coolshot in August 2022.[3]
Prior to her diagnosis, she was a competitive cyclist, played soccer and muay thai. She co-captained the 2023 Australian Invictus Games team where she competed in cycling, powerlifting and indoor rowing. [5]
At the 2026 Winter Paralympics, she competed in biathlon and cross-country skiing. Biathlon results were - 13th in the Women's Individual - Visually Impaired and Women's Sprint pursuit - Visually Impaired and 14th in Women's Sprint - Visually Impaired. Cross-country skiing results were - 13th in the Women's Sprint - Visually Impaired. Her guide was Lynn Maree Cullen. [6]
References
- ^ Maih (20 June 2025). "Taryn Dickens | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Zoe (28 February 2026). "Australian Team Finalised For Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games - Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b Tuong, Jenny (5 December 2023). "Navy Service to Paralympics: Taryn Dickens' Inspiring Story". Navy Health. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b Wilkeson, Felicity (20 October 2025). "Breaking New Ground: Taryn Dickens' Para Nordic Journey". Blind Sports Australia. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Meet the Team -Taryn Dickens". Invictus Australia YouTube. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics Games Schedule & Results". Bornan. Retrieved 15 March 2026.