SASKATOON – Dr. Keely Shaw is an elite Para athlete who has demonstrated excellence in her academic and athletic pursuits.
Shaw is also a scientist.
That rather unique combination recently led to Shaw being announced as the recipient of a University of Saskatchewan alumni One to Watch Award.
Shaw said the award came as a complete surprise.
“Honestly the first one (reaction) was surprise,” she told Yorkton This Week in a recent interview.
The “award recognizes a young alumnus/alumna who is making significant personal and professional contributions in society, resulting in a demonstrable betterment of their community, and setting an example for fellow and future alumni to follow,” details alumni.usask.ca
Shaw, who hails from Midale, Sask., said there are so many U of S graduates who contribute so much locally, provincially, nationally and beyond so her thoughts were not on being selected from such a large pool.
As for her own successes, Shaw said simply “I’ve been very fortunate.”
That is particularly true in regards to her successes as an athlete where she is an award-winning Paralympian and six-time World Championship medallist.
Academically “Shaw is a postdoctoral scholar in the Faculty of Kinesiology and the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Her research is at the intersection of kinesiology, nutrition, and agriculture, focusing on exercise physiology and nutrition, particularly examining iron levels in female athletes. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed papers on this and other topics related to exercise physiology. As a female Paralympic athlete, she brings a unique perspective and understanding to her academic work. Shaw’s research has the potential to have a significant impact on human health, while her resilience, dedication, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire many in both the academic and athletic worlds,” details the alumni page.
While there have been numerous awards – athletic medals aplenty – Shaw said this one is different.
“It’s kind of unique as a combination of the two, (athletics and academics),” she said, adding it feels like it fully respects both aspects of her life over recent years – which she called “that duality of my life.”
As a Para athlete Shaw said the award is also another chance to champion sport for all.
“I do think this is an amazing opportunity to showcase Para sport,” she said.
Back to the alumni page it explains “Shaw experienced a life-changing horse-riding accident on the family farm at the age of 15 that resulted in partial paralysis on her left side. Prior to the accident, Shaw was a high-level hockey player who aspired to compete in the Olympics; after the accident, she struggled with the realization that her body had changed. Shaw’s Paralympic career began when she was working out at the Physical Activity Complex on the University of Saskatchewan campus and a classmate connected her with a sports scientist, who told Shaw that she would be a classifiable Para athlete and to “pick a sport.””
Shaw said that is the great thing about Para sport, it is not just about those in wheelchairs, or with artificial limbs – something many immediately assume. She said it is a diverse enough area that it encompasses so many athletes with a broad range of limitations based on varied disabilities.
For Shaw it was Para cycling. She competed at her first National Championship in August 2017 and at her first World Championship in March 2018.
Since then, Shaw has medaled at multiple world competitions, including earning two Paralympic bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Games and at the 2024 Paris Games.
Shaw said Para sport is for all, adding it’s a case of “finding that community. Finding what makes you happy.”
That is one thing Shaw said she hopes the award will help convey, adding if one person finds that happiness discovering Para sport after reading about the award it will be huge positive she would be proud of.
