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Four-time Paralympian Michael Roeger is re-setting his goals for the Paris 2024 Paralympics after he smashed his own 5000m T46 world record at the Adelaide Invitational on the weekend.
Roeger clocked 13:52:05 to cut more than eight seconds of the world mark he set at the Sydney Track Classic last year.
The record was a stunning return for the accomplished and popular long-distance runner, who was among the gold medal favourites for the Marathon at Tokyo 2020 but, after suffering a stress fracture weeks before the race, managed a courageous sixth.
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Following adjustments to the Para-athletics program for Paris, which means the 1500m will be the only distance event in the T46 classification, Roeger is considering a tilt at the shorter distance, in which he won a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Games – his only Paralympic medal so far.
“The Marathon isn’t in, but I am in good 5000m and 1500m shape so Coach (Philo) Saunders thinks I can get back on the track and compete for the gold,” Roeger said after the race.
“I’ve just got my head right and found my mojo in the past four weeks. I gave myself the time to put Tokyo behind me and it’s a clean slate for me, the last five weeks have showed that.
“I didn’t think that I would have the chance to talk about a world record in the 5000m tonight. It goes to show that if you come into the night and the race feeling relaxed, it goes a long way.”
Later, Roeger, an Adelaide native, posted on Instagram: “Last night was epic, every opportunity to race in South Australia is special. 13:52 for 5000m ✔️🦾. To bounce back after the disappointment of Tokyo like that was unreal. Season underway.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ5lPhnBXsf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia and Athletics Australia
Posted: 15 February 2022
