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Australian Para-triathlon’s golden girl Lauren Parker has bettered her heart stopping silver from Tokyo with a Seine-sational victory in Paris.
Parker’s eyes have been firmly on the top of the dais, using the hurt of her narrow second placing at Tokyo 2020 to power her to an incredible victory and extend her unprecedented winning streak to 15 races.
The unflappable Parker (1:06.23) raced away to beat US’ reigning gold medallist Kendall Gretsch (1:07.46) with Canada’s Leanne Taylor crossing for bronze in 1:12.11.
“It feels absolutely amazing. I can’t believe I was able to do it today,” Parker said.
“It’s been a long journey to get here. I couldn’t be more proud and happy to get the gold medal.
“After getting second in Tokyo by less than a second, that’s been a big driving force over the last three years – every single day through every single training session.
“I’ve worked so hard to accomplish what I’ve done today.”
Reflecting on the moment she crossed the line Parker said: “Definitely relief because it’s been a big build up – a three-year build up. I’ve said ever since Tokyo that I want to get gold at Paris and [that] I will get gold at Paris. I put a lot of pressure on myself.
“Just putting it out there for the last three years has made me work even harder knowing that I’ve put it out there. Everyone out there knows what I want to do and I just want to be able to do that.”
The 35-year-old will now turn her attention to cycling, where she is also aiming to clinch medals in the women’s H3 road race and time trial. She won a silver and gold in the respective cycling disciplines at last year’s world championships and believes she can leave Paris with medals in all three of her races.
Australia had multiple athletes competing across several classes on Monday including Nic Beveridge, who became Australia’s first Para-triathlete to compete at three Paralympic Games. Competing in the men’s PTWC race, Beveridge crossed the line in sixth place (1:05:11), bettering both of his previous Games efforts.
Less than a year into his international career, Thomas Goodman (PTS2) has gone from Para-triathlon newcomer to ninth place (1:21:12) on his debut. Justin Godfrey realised his decade-long dream on the world stage at his maiden Paralympic Games, finishing 11th in the men’s PTS3 in 1:32:49.
It wasn’t to be for South Australia’s Anu Francis (PTS2) who pushed all the way to the end to finish agonisingly close to the podium in fourth place in 1:17:48, behind USA’s Alyssa Seely in bronze.
“It was amazing racing from the top three girls, they absolutely lifted and I’m super gutted that I couldn’t lift with them. But I’m proud of myself and of everyone who helped me get here,” Francis said.
“Triathlon is so unpredictable and the swim today was tougher than I imagined, I prepared as well as I could’ve and left everything out there. I‘m so proud to be able to call myself a Paralympian and I’ll definitely be back for LA and hopefully up on the podium.”
In only their second race together, Sam Harding and guide Aaron Royle finished a creditable fifth (1:01:21) in the men’s PTVI. The pair experienced some technical difficulties on the bike leg but pushed through to almost challenge for a medal. Big things are likely to come from this paring in the future.
Twenty-year-old debutant Jack Howell, who only started racing internationally in 2022, finished seventh in the men’s PTS5 race in 1:02:21. Despite being the youngest in the field, Howell performed maturely and is already looking to the future.
“You put in so many hours, there’s so many people involved, but we’re small in this world of triathlon and I’m so thankful to be one of the faces of the sport,” he said. “Going forward I can’t wait for Brisbane. You guys better show up for Brissy because I’m going to be there’.”
Steely-eyed David Bryant can proudly call himself a dual Paralympian after finishing eighth in the PTS5 race in 1:02:47. He was satisfied with his performance on the technically difficult urban course.
It was a tough day out for the men in the stacked PTS4 race, with debutants Jeremy Peacock and Liam Twomey finishing in eighth and 13th respectively. Post race, Peacock was reflective about his journey to his maiden Games and content with his performance.
“For 28 years I suppressed it, I never wanted to be that kid [with cerebral palsy], I had a 10 percent survival chance when I was born and I think that grit and determination from day one has got me to where I am today,” Peacock said.
“Becoming one with who I am first and foremost, I think you really have to be OK with who you are to then pronounce who you are to the world.”
In the final race of an action-packed day, Sally Pilbeam finished a hard fought seventh in 1:19:40 in the PTS4, while it was heartbreak for Grace Brimelow who was disqualified for an error on the bike leg. But at just 17 years old, Brimelow will leave Paris with her head held high and fire in her belly for future Games.
Watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on the 9Network and 9Now live and free, and on Stan Sport till September 8.
By: Ashley Gillespie, Danielle Balales & Scott Spits, Paralympics Australia
Published: 2 September 2024
