Australian para-triathlete Lauren Parker has revealed how a horror biking accident has compelled her to vary her type in a bid to clinch gold in Paris.
Parker, who needed to accept silver in Tokyo after being pipped to the highest prize by 1 second, has endured a difficult lead-up to the Paris Paralympics, which started on Thursday.
The 35-year-old admits she will be very detailed concerning the specs of her gear so she will really feel at her finest.
However when 4 bolts on the foot pods on her bike got here unfastened whereas on a coaching trip earlier this 12 months, Parker’s “worst nightmare occurred”.
“After months of claiming it … then your leg goes into the bottom whenever you’re driving at 35kph,” Parker instructed AAP.
“As my foot went into the bottom with the foot pods nonetheless on, my leg flung again and I could not management something.
“I used to be fortunate that my leg did not snap off.”
Parker, who’s paraplegic, was unable to really feel the total extent of the ache.
However the PTWC triathlete says the coaching mishap has compelled her to reshape her type on the land and within the water as she hunts for fulfillment in Paris.
“It is actually made a major change to my pelvis, my sacrum and my hips,” Parker mentioned.
“My pelvis is twisted, the place I begin to really feel I’ve felt some stress and my entire physique feels uncomfortable with the change.
“I’ve bought to adapt and simply get by it as a result of it does not cease me from doing my sport.
Lauren Parker gained a silver medal by the narrowest of margins in Tokyo. (Getty Photos: Alex Pantling)
“I’ve needed to adapt just a few issues with my bike seating and the way I assist myself, I am needing extra assist in sure areas the place I would not have been earlier than.
“And in my swimming, that has modified with my place. I do know I am slower, I’ve misplaced time per 100 metres.”
In addition to competing within the para-triathlon, which features a 750m swim within the River Seine, Parker can also be aiming to clinch medals within the H3 biking street race and time trial.
Parker, who claimed a silver and gold within the respective biking disciplines finally 12 months’s world championships, refuses to imagine she can’t depart Paris with podium finishes from all three of her races.
“I am fortunate that [balancing two sports] works out and it matches into the Paralympic schedule properly,” Parker mentioned.
“I feel I’ve bought a one-day break between the triathlon and the biking and it may be powerful however I imagine I can again up and recuperate properly.
“Tokyo was very disappointing for me however that solely created extra hearth within the stomach … I do know I’ve bought unfinished enterprise in Paris however that is all I have been fascinated about for the final three years, getting a gold medal.”
AAP
