Here is a good article on Alicia Kate on the WildMantle.com site:
Q: What is the hardest obstacle you have had to overcome?
A: Being told I wasn’t good enough. I used to represent Canada and switched to the United States when I was being denied the opportunity to compete internationally. I desperately wanted to try and qualify for the Olympics, and instead I received a multi page document from Triathlon Canada about why I wasn’t going to make it. Needless to say, I now proudly represent the United States!