Lauren Parker clinches gold medal in women's PTWC after heartbreaking silver finish in Tokyo

Lauren Parker has overcome the heartbreak of her silver in Tokyo, clinching gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games in the women's PTWC.

The 35-year-old finished in a time of 1:06:23, finishing one minute and 23 seconds ahead of American Kendall Gretsch.

Gretsch finished first in Tokyo, defeating Parker by one second in a thrilling finish.

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"Look at the emotion, redemption for the Australian," caller Peter Psaltis said on Nine as Parker crossed the line in Paris.

"Lauren Parker, beaten by a second in Tokyo, demolishes the competition in Paris.

"Gold for Australia, a special moment for this magnificent athlete ... we thought this was going to be close, she has blown them away."

Post-race, Parker admitted the Tokyo finish continued to drive her towards a sensational Paris victory.

"I can't believe it, a dream come true today," she told Nine's coverage.

"I've been through a lot in the last three years and it just sums up everything I've been through and worked hard towards.

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"I've had the goal of getting the gold medal here in Paris ever since Tokyo. Every single session I've been putting myself through in training I've had that vision and I can't believe I've done that today.

Canada's Leanne Taylor finished with bronze in the race in a time of 1:12:11.

Parker's life took an unexpected turn in 2017 when she was on a training ride preparing for the Ironman Australia Triathlon.

While training, both her tyres blew while travelling at 40km/hr, catapulting her into a guard rail. She had major injuries from the accident, one being paraplegia.

Asked if she imagined winning a gold medal after that moment, her reply was profound.

"Definitely not, laying in that hospital bed back in 2017, a life-changing accident, I never thought I'd be able to get back into sport let alone compete at the Paralympic Games and winning a gold medal," she said.

"It means everything, I've been through so much since then as well, the emotional rollercoaster I've been through, pushing through every single day, every single second just to be here."

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