Beth Livingston’s journey as an athlete took a dramatic turn in 1989 when a car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this life-altering event, she embraced adaptive sports and became an internationally recognized Paralympic competitor. Initially, she competed in alpine skiing, but in 2000, she transitioned to Nordic (cross-country) skiing, where she excelled on a global stage. She represented the United States at the 2002 Winter Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, competing in multiple events. Her achievements include a fifth-place finish with the U.S. 2 x 2.5k relay team and 11th-place finishes in both the 5k and 10k individual races. Prior to the Paralympics, she earned a 13th-place finish at the 2001 International Paralympic Nordic World Cup and has secured medals in World Cup races, establishing herself as a world-class performer.
Livingston’s athletic endeavors extend beyond competition. She has been sponsored by Patagonia, a leading outdoor gear company, serving as both a competitor and a resource for product testing and design. She also contributes to her community by volunteering to teach other disabled athletes and veterans in sports such as water and snow skiing, biking, and sled hockey, reflecting her commitment to empowering others.
As an athlete, Beth Livingston continues to open new doors. As adaptive technology continues to make huge inroads for the disabled athlete, Beth is both a part of its development and one of those fun hogs first in line waiting for a ride. As an Ambassador for Patagonia, Beth has the enviable position of testing products for the outdoor industry, and giving feedback for its design. This job makes trips to Heli-ski in Alaska necessary, and testing of a new wetsuit wave-skiing off the shores of Oahu product research. She is not complaining.
Competing in Nordic skiing in the 2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake was thrilling but an equal adrenalin rush was the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch in her home town of Bozeman, Montana the same year.
Beth has set her sights on competing in the next Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2010.