Abi Tripp

Early life and education Tripp was born in Kingston, Ontario nine and a half weeks early to parents Steve and Helen Tripp on January 6, 2001. She has an older brother, Ben.

In 2006, Tripp competed in a Kids of Steel triathlon; while competing, she caught the attention of Vicki Keith, who later approached Tripp's mother about joining the Kingston Y Penguins swim team program for children with disabilities. At six-years old, Tripp joined the Kingston Y Penguins swim team. Tripp studied psychology at Université Laval.

Career

Tripp competed in the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle, 100-metre breaststroke and 200-metre individual medley at the 2015 Parapan American Games, her major Games debut. She placed fourth in all four events. At the 2016 national competition, Tripp broke Andrea Cole’s 2002 record of 3:03.04 in the qualification heats for the 200-metre women’s individual medley SM8 with a time of 3:00.98. Racing again in the final, she broke her new record with a time of 2:58.77. placing eighth in the 200-metre individual medley, seventh in the 100-metre freestyle, and sixth in the 400-metre freestyle, setting a new Canadian record. This was Tripp's first medal at a world championship. In 2019, she was named the Kiwanis Athlete of the Year.

Based on her performance in the final at the 2019 world championships, Tripp qualified to compete at the 2020 Summer Paralympic Games. She won silver at the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships in the women's 100-metre breaststroke. Tripp was named to represent Canada at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.