By Duncan Mackay

Tatyana McFadden crosses line London 2012January 13 - Tatyana McFadden, one of the stars of London 2012 with three gold medals, has launched a bid to qualify for the United States team to compete at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi.


McFadden was born in Russia but moved to America when she was six after being adopted and has now set her sights on what would sure to be an emotional return.

The 22-year-old, who is now based in Maryland, won three gold medals in the T54 category at London 2012 in the 400 metres, 800m and 1500m, as well as a bronze in the 100m. 

She has now embarked upon her bid for Sochi by winning her first national championship event at the US Adaptive Championships at Soldier Hollow, Utah.

McFadden had tried cross country skiing only once before last month but won the sitski cross country sprint.

When I crossed the finish line I was so happy because I've only been skiing for about a week.

"It was nerve-racking because it was just a sprint so it was going to be really, really quick, but it was fun.

"I really enjoy sprinting because it transitions from the track. I'm more of a sprinter."

Her performance has already caught the eye of US Paralympics. 

"It is impressive given she has very few days on snow, maybe eight or nine,"said John Farra, director of Paralympic Nordic Skiing high performance.