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Australia’s growing strength in triathlon will be on full display at the Paris Paralympic Games after Paralympics Australia confirmed the nation’s biggest squad yet to contest the event.
Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin welcomed the 13 newest members of the Australian Paralympic Team at a ceremony held online, attended by AusTriathlon CEO Tim Harradine, as well as coaches, officials and the support networks of the selected athletes.
The team features the world No.1 in the women’s PTWC Lauren Parker, who won a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, as well as fellow returning Paralympians Nic Beveridge (PTWC), David Bryant (PTS5) and PTVI athlete Sam Harding, who competed in the 1500 metres at the previous Games before making a successful transition to triathlon.
Among those making their debut are exciting young athletes who have made a big impact during the qualification period and staunch campaigners who have had to bide their time before competing on the biggest stage.
For 17-year-old Grace Brimelow, things have happened quickly. For Sally Pilbeam and Justin Godfrey, selection has been years in the making, as their classifications didn’t feature at the Games until now.
Asked what he liked best about the squad, AusTriathlon’s Paralympic Performance Manager Kyle Burns said: “At the world triathlon level we’ve got one of the best spreads across the classes, which has really helped us to form this team.
“Also, just the individual journeys and progression of each of the athletes. Everyone’s got their story, they’re all unique, but it’s great to be able to take young athletes like Jack (Howell) and Grace, through to Sally and Justin who’ve been there from the start and now have this opportunity to fulfil a life-long dream.
“We’re not an easy sport. There are three disciplines, lots of equipment needed: it’s just such a commitment. The fact that all these athletes have made it onto the team, I think, is really a credit to them. I’m very proud to lead them and I hope they all fulfil whatever dreams they have for this Games.”
Harding, who will compete in the PTVI with guide Aaron Royle, said moving to triathlon from athletics was made easier by the team around him.
“It’s been great. I’ve probably just had three years of my most consistent training,” he said.
“I’m running the best I ever have and the rest of the triathlon group has been great. It’s a pretty tight-knit group.
“I definitely get a team feel from them. We have to travel for the points and rankings, so you spend a bit of time away and, if something happens to your equipment or whatever, it’s great to have others around who will come and help out.
“There are people who’ve been at this for a while, others are pretty fresh. It’s just a cool group to be around.”
McLoughlin, the Chef de Mission, said the triathlon team for Paris held plenty of promise.
“The gold medal success of Katie Kelly and guide Michellie Jones at Rio 2016, the first Games which included Para-triathlon, set the stage for the sport in Australia,” she said.
“Since then we’ve loved watching the amazing Lauren Parker win multiple world championships and a silver medal at the Tokyo Games, and a number of other outstanding athletes make their mark, achieving consistently strong results.
“Congratulations to AusTriathlon and everyone associated with the development of these wonderful athletes and the sport in Australia. The triathlon events in Paris will be spectacular and we can’t wait to see our competitors take on the world.”
Australian Para-Triathlon Team for Paris 2024, Classification and World Triathlon Para Ranking
Nic Beveridge – PTWC - 6
Tom Goodman – PTS2 - 9
Justin Godfrey – PTS3 - 6
Jeremy Peacock – PTS4 - 7
Liam Twomey – PTS4 - 9
Jack Howell – PTS5 - 5
David Bryant – PTS5 - 7
Sam Harding – PTVI - 8
Aaron Royle (Guide)
Lauren Parker – PTWC - 1
Anu Francis – PTS2 - 2
Grace Brimelow – PTS4 - 6
Sally Pilbeam – PTS4 - 7
By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.
Published 19 July, 2024.
