Elena Allen set a world record in 2005 which was only recently overtaken in March 2012. In the same year, Allen won gold at the Belgrade World Cup and silver at the European Championships. She also became a bronze medallist at the World Championships in Finland in 2002 and the World Cups in Italy and Dorset 2010. Both Elena and her husband/coach, Malcolm, won gold at the Commonwealth Championships in India 2010.

Elena made her Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games where she finished in 14th place in the Women's Skeet.

Allen began shooting following her mother's encouragement who was a former Olympic shooter herself.

Elena has a degree in modern languages from the University of Bradford and speaks Russian and German.