Chase McQueen

Opportunities to pair triathlon with his studies were initially limited as he moved into higher education, so the decision was taken to run track and field and cross-country at the University of Arizona, while competing in triathlon outside of the college. McQueen’s breakthrough came when he was selected for the inaugural USAT Podium Project. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, it was the equivalent to a scholarship in other endurance sports and meant living and training with other aspiring young professional triathletes such as 2016 junior world champion Austin Hindman.

If there were eyes on McQueen as a graduate from the programme, the attention increased further when he was involved in a high profile incident on his Word Triathlon Championship Series debut in Leeds last year, that led to double-Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee being disqualified for roughhouse tactics in the swim. Putting it behind him, McQueen was brought in to help US hope Morgan Pearson prepare for Tokyo 2020, and although the individual race didn’t go to plan, Pearson did anchor the US to Olympic silver in the mixed team relay. McQueen is not averse to relay action himself, taking over from Pearson to anchor USA to victory in the mixed team relay in Montreal just a fortnight later.

This summer, McQueen joined a new training group in Boulder, Colorado that includes Olympic champion Flora Duffy, and talented US stars Kirsten Kasper and Kevin McDowell. He hopes it will help him realise his own Olympic ambitions come Paris 2024. The 2022 Championship series will mark McQueen’s first Super League experience.

Outside of triathlon, McQueen loves the great outdoors, including fishing, camping and cross-country skiing. One final point to clear up. Despite circulating rumours, Chase is keen to point out that he’s not the grandson of Hollywood icon Steve McQueen.