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Sport:  Triathlon
Height: 5’ 6”
Weight: 120 lbs
Date of Birth: January 3, 1990
Place of Birth: Calgary
Residence: Victoria
Personal Sponsors: Spartan Controls, Asics

BACKGROUND:
Inspired by the medal, Kyla Coates was intrigued to start triathlon when she was five years old after seeing a neighbourhood friend return home from a local Kids of Steel Race proudly sporting a finishers medal around his neck. The next year, she battled her nerves and hit the start line for a Kids of Steel race of her own, and has been hooked ever since.

Her passion for the sport continued to strengthen after watching her sister win the Alberta Summer Games despite being one of the youngest athletes in the field. Kyla was awed by the atmosphere surrounding the Games, but disappointed as she did not qualify and felt she should be racing too. She left those Games with a much more determined focus, and dedicated herself to qualifying for the next Games two years away. She accomplished her goals and has been progressing through the sport ever since.

Kyla has set benchmarks in her quest to represent Canada at an Olympic Games one day. Her first year on the national development squad, Kyla would like to qualify for the Under-23 World Championships this year, and race on the World Cup and World Championship Series one day.

Outside of the sport of triathlon, Kyla enjoys doing all things in the outdoors including camping, backpacking, climbing and snowboarding. She also has an artsy hand for activities like painting and fusing glass beads to make jewelry. She is also pursing a degree in Kinesiology.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• Winner of 2009 Junior Pan-American Championships

2009 RESULTS:
2009 – PATCO Championships, Junior Women: 1
2009 – Teck National Junior Series, Winnipeg: 1
2009 – Teck National Junior Series, Coteau-du-lac, Que.: 1
2009 – Junior National Championships, Kelowna, B.C.: 5
2009 – Canada Summer Games, Summerside, P.E.I.: 3
2009 – Junior World Championships, Gold Coast, Aus.: 8

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