Lauren Parker achieves 44-year first as Aussie cycling team enjoys epic medal rush
PARIS: An incredible rush of medals on the streets of Paris on Wednesday, which included a 44-year first, put a bright spotlight on the tremendous strength of the Australian Paralympic cycling team.
In a period of about two hours on day seven of Paralympic competition, Australia's road cyclists gobbled up four medals: two of them silver in colour and two bronze.
The fourth medal was won by Lauren Parker, who became the first Australian Paralympian in 44 years to win a medal in two different sports at a single Games.
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Parker picked up silver in the women's H1-3 individual time trial with a time of 24:24.09, which followed the triathlon gold she had won two days earlier.
"My arms are absolutely smashed," Parker said.
"I just can't believe I've been able to do this [win medals in two different sports in Paris]. It's been a goal of mine to do both sports since Tokyo [2020]."
Lauren Parker en route to winning silver in Paris. Michael Steele/Getty Images
The medal rush began when Alana Forster grabbed bronze in the women's C5 individual time trial, crossing the finish line in 21:00.48.
Meg Lemon scored a medal in the race immediately after, snaring silver in the women's C4 individual time trial in 21:44.16.
Then came an impressive ride from Darren Hicks, who captured bronze in the men's C2 individual time trial in 19:40.08. He won gold in the event at the Tokyo Games.
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Lemon was in shock after claiming silver.
"My heart's just racing," she said.
"It hasn't quite set in yet. I'm pretty over the moon."
Australia's Paralympic cycling team has now won nine medals at the Paris Games, including three golds, having secured five medals on the track and four on the road.
The only sport in which the Australian Paralympic team has won more medals in Paris is swimming, which has seen the Dolphins haul in 14 medals.
The athletics team has won a third-highest six medals at the Stade de France.
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