--- title: "Heroes from Paris terrorist attack featured in new season of ‘The Amazing Race’" date: "2022-01-04" modified: "2022-01-04" authors: - name: "Jessica Manfre" job_title: "Coast Guard Spouse, Contributor" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/jessicamanfre.md" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/heroes-featured-on-the-amazing-race/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Heroes" - "History" - "Movies and TV" --- # Heroes from Paris terrorist attack featured in new season of ‘The Amazing Race’ ![Two men stand side by side in front of microphones outdoors; one wears a dark blazer with a medal pinned on his chest, and the other is in a formal military uniform with medals. In a separate image, the same two men are casually dressed, smiling, with one man’s arm around the other's shoulder, standing outdoors with trees in the background.]() *Left DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released and right photo provided by CBS* On August 21, 2015, a terrorist opened fire on a train bound for Paris from Amsterdam. His deadly plans were foiled by two off-duty American service members and their best friend. At the time, Spencer Stone was an Air Force Medical Technician and Alek Skarlatos was a member of the Army National Guard. They’d planned the Europe vacation with their best friend Anthony Sadler and had been looking forward to their in-person reunion for months. At the last minute, they changed their itinerary midway through the trip to go to Paris. Stopping a terrorist attack was never on the agenda. The three had been best friends for over a decade. “We've actually known each other since we were 12 years old,” Sadler shared. He was the new kid on the block at their middle school in California when Stone and Skarlatos immediately befriended him. “The school we went to was very small and there weren't really a lot of kids in the first place so we were just happy to have a new kid to hang out with,” Stone laughed. It was their deep connection as childhood friends which Stone and Sadler credit to their collective response against the gun-wielding terrorist. “We already had the decision made up and in our minds what we would do in a situation like that,” Stone explained. “Given the circumstances of us being on a train going 200 miles an hour in the middle of the countryside, there's nowhere to go. It just seemed like our only option.” The choice to fight was made without hesitation, they both agreed. After a hand-to-hand fight and physically subduing the terrorist, Stone was busy saving the life of a passenger who’d been shot in the neck, holding pressure with his fingers directly on his artery to prevent him from bleeding out. Skarlatos cleared the train and Sadler was hunting down all the medical supplies to support the injured. Later, they'd learn the terrorist had boarded the train armed with an automatic pistol, box cutter and a Kalashnikov with nine clips, each holding 30 rounds. During trial in 2020, the attorney for the three of them stated their heroics prevented a slaughter. An hour after they stopped the attack, their lives changed forever. Stone had to be brought to the hospital due to knife wounds from fighting hand to hand with the terrorist and the three were seperated for a day. When they reunited, the story had been going viral throughout the news and media. They were honored by then President Barack Obama in a [ceremony]() at the White House just a few weeks later. Stone was even recognized by [People Magazine]() in 2015 as America’s “Sexiest Hero” of the year. Since then, all three have received numerous awards, spoken about their experience and been featured guests on television talk shows. The three published a book about their story, [The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Heroes](). In 2018, it became a feature film directed by Clint Eastwood and all three played themselves on the big screen adaption of their story. Now you can watch Stone and Sadler as contestants on the newest season of CBS’ hit show, The Amazing Race, beginning January 5, 2022. The series is celebrating its 20th season. https://youtu.be/D8m9NcVqHB4 Stone admitted they were both a little nervous about taking part in a reality show but loved the experience from start to finish. “I think we did really well between me and Spencer. We had no idea what it would be like,” Sadler said. “It puts your relationship with your partner to the test but we were so hyped to do it together.” - ![Two men wearing backpacks and winter jackets are interacting with a person dressed in a costume resembling a traditional red British telephone booth at night in an urban setting. The man on the left is wearing a black beanie and black jacket, while the man in the middle is wearing a black beanie and red jacket, holding a piece of paper. The person in the telephone booth costume is wearing a black hat and white shirt. The background shows city lights and blurred figures.]() - ![Two men with large backpacks stand in an underground station, closely examining a map. Both wear athletic clothing, including shorts, leggings, and sneakers. One man has a red bandana and a blue jacket, while the other wears a black hoodie with a red hood and a black waist bag labeled "RACE." The station features orange pillars, tiled floors, and various signs and maps on the walls. In the background, a person in a white puffer jacket and red hat walks away.]() *Photos shared courtesy of CBS* Together they had already survived one of the hardest of tests. If there’s anything readers can glean from what they went through or their story specifically, both said they wanted individuals to “not be bystanders.” “What's the first general reaction of someone when they see someone in trouble or something bad happening? They take out their phone and they start recording them. It’s all about changing people’s mindset,” Stone stated. “Just lend a helping hand. So many bad things can be prevented if people took action and cared about their fellow human beings.” The season 33 premiere of The Amazing Race will feature 11 teams who will travel all over the world facing mental and physical challenges. You can watch Stone and Sadler compete (and hopefully win the coveted $1 million dollar prize) each Wednesday night on [CBS]() beginning January 5, 2022. Viewers can also stream the show by subscribing to CBS All Access, which is now [Paramount+](). ## Author Jessica is a clinical social worker, writer, and military advocate whose work for We Are The Mighty focuses on the lived realities of military service, especially the moments that come after the uniform comes off. Her writing centers on veterans, military spouses, and families navigating transition, identity, resilience, and healing, often blending clinical insight with deeply human storytelling. She covers leadership, service, community impact, and the cultural shifts shaping today’s military-connected population, frequently drawing from interviews with senior military leaders, influencers, and grassroots voices across the space. Beyond writing, Jessica serves as Director of MilSpouseFest and works as a Military Events Manager, leading national campaigns and large-scale events that bring military communities together. She is the author of Never Alone (Moody Publishers) and is currently developing her next book, After the Battle. When she’s not writing or advocating, Jessica can usually be found with a good cup of coffee in hand, tackling her ever-growing TBR, hiking with her dog, or spending quality time with her family. She is a proud military spouse of an active-duty U.S. Coast Guard member and draws inspiration from the resilience, humor, and heart of military life every day. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]()