Lauren Parker becomes Australia’s first dual-sport Paralympic medallist in 44 years after cycling silver

Lauren Parker is basking in the glory of becoming Australia’s first dual-sport Paralympic medallist in 44 years after claiming silver in the women’s H1-3 individual time trial to add to her triathlon gold.
After finishing first in the para-triathlon on Monday, Parker was facing a lofty task to match a feat last achieved by Eric Russell, who won a gold (shot put) and two bronzes (discus and pentathlon) in 1980.
But the remarkable Parker was undaunted by the history facing her in the Parisian satellite town of Clichy-sous-Bois and could well have finished first with a gold to her name.
The 35-year-old crossed the finish line on Wednesday in 24:24.09, just 9.5 seconds behind American winner Katerina Brim.
“If only I had the extra nine seconds in me,” Parker said. “I couldn’t have done anything more, I put it all out there on the race course.
“I can’t believe that I’ve been able to do that, it’s been a goal of mine to do both sports since Tokyo … I’m very happy with that.”
Parker still remains a chance, however, to grab a second gold when she features in the cycling road race on Thursday morning, local time.
“It’s been a mental game to get through my bike accidents so to achieve what I’ve achieved so far … I’m happy,” Parker said. “We’re two down and one to go and it’s definitely going to be tough, I think all the girls will be feeling it out there … we’ll see what it brings.”
Parker’s silver came on a successful day for Australia, with a total of nine medals secured, four of which came from Parker’s fellow cyclists.
Alana Forster (women’s C5) and Darren Hicks (men’s C2) claimed bronze in their individual pursuits.
While Alistair Donohoe (men’s C5) and Meg Lemon (women’s C4) grabbed silvers, with Lemon’s Australian teammate Emily Petricola, who claimed a velodrome gold medal earlier in the Games, having to settle for fourth.
Cyclists weaved their way through a 14.2km course – male racers did the course twice over – in the nearby forest, looping around through the commune’s main strip and concluding with a sharp climb to finish at a municipal sports ground.
The unglamorous backdrop was in sharp contrast to the picturesque views of the Olympic time trial or the triathlon where Parker won gold, but it suited Lemon perfectly.
“My coaches just told me to finish at the end of the forest before the last downhill and uphill, and then they knew that I could climb,” Lemon said.
“Whatever I had left, I was just going to fly up the hill if I could.
“Em [Petricola] came up to me and told me I was second and I thought I was dreaming, it’s pretty remarkable.”