Posted: 2024-09-05 12:59:06

Lauren Parker is Australia's first dual-sport Paralympic gold medallist at the same Games in 48 years after her victory in the para cycling road race on day eight.

Just a day after finishing with silver in the women's H1-3 individual time trial, the Australian returned to the Parisian satellite town of Clichy-sous-Bois on Thursday to win the H1-4 road race.

Parker's victory follows her gold-medal win in the women's PTWC triathlon on Monday and makes her the first Australian to win multiple golds in different sports at a Paralympic Games since 1976.

"Hard work pays off," Parker told the Nine Network.

"I've put in a lot of hard work in training and my preparation, so I'm just so stoked that it has paid off.

"I've come away with three medals in these games and two [are] gold."

Luarne Parker competing in para cycling road race at Paris Paralympics.

Parker won by more than four minutes to claim her second gold of the Paris Paralympics. (Getty Images: Michael Steele)

On a rain-soaked course, 35-year-old Parker, an H3 athlete, won the road race in 52 minutes and four seconds.

She finished a remarkable four minutes and 11 seconds ahead of reigning Paralympic champion Jennette Jansen of the Netherlands.

Jansen and Germany's bronze medallist Annika Zeyen-Giles were given the same time of 56:15.

"I just treated it like a time trial and made the most of my opportunity on the first hill to get away," Parker said.

"It definitely wasn't easy. My arms are absolutely smashed.

"It's been a full-on program and I'm just so over the moon with my race today."

The wet weather had delayed the start of the race, but Parker was unfazed.

"I'm used to having races postponed, definitely since the triathlon and here today," Parker said.

"You just have to overcome. I'm used to overcoming setbacks or changes, and you just have to adapt and take it as it comes."

AAP

View More
  • 0 Comment(s)
Captcha Challenge
Reload Image
Type in the verification code above