Lauren Parker achieves dual-sport Paralympic dream on five-medal time trial day for Australia

Only 48 hours after basking in the glory of a triathlon gold medal awarded at the iconic Alexander III Bridge in the heart of Paris, Lauren Parker has achieved a rare Paralympic feat for Australia. 

After sharply turning her focus to the road cycling components of her 2024 campaign following her triathlon triumph, 35-year-old Parker became the first Australian Paralympic athlete in 44 years to snag a medal in two disciplines at the same Games. 

As the individual time trial events kicked off the road cycling program at Clichy-sous-Bois on the outskirts of Paris, Parker picked up a silver medal in the women’s H1-3 individual time trial. 

It headlined a bold opening day for the Australian Cycling Team with three silvers and two bronze medals safe in their keeping to add to the the action at the velodrome. 

Parker, a H3 categorised para-cyclist, finished with the fastest real time of 24:24.09 in the her time trial, but fell short of gold by 9.5 seconds to the factored time of H2 American Katerina Brim.

“It feels so good to walk away with another medal,” Parker said. 

“I put it all out there on the racecourse. I’m proud of what I’ve done today.” 

To put Parker’s achievement in perspective, the history books show that accomplished Paralympian Eric Russell was the last Australian athlete to go big in two disciplines in the same year when he won shot put gold and two bronzes (discus and pentathlon) at the 1980 Arnhem Games. 

“It’s been a goal of mine to do both sports since trying for it for Tokyo [three years ago], and being knocked back,” Parker said.

“But I’ve done it today. I couldn’t be more proud of myself. I’ve been through a lot over the last three years and to be able to be here representing Australia, putting everything I have into the race, and coming away with a silver medal I’m [super] happy with that.” 

Parker’s silver was matched by Australian teammates Alistair Donohoe in the men’s C5 event (two laps of the 14.2 kilometre street circuit) and Meg Lemon in the women’s C4 category (one lap of the circuit). 

Donohoe now has two medals from the Paris Games following his bronze on the track in the men’s open C1-5 750m team sprint. 

The Victorian's silver marks his third consecutive medal in the event after winning bronze in Tokyo and silver in Rio. It's also his sixth Paralympic medal.

“It’s just a brutal course. I think I paced it well,” Donohoe said.

“It’s really hard to not blow up, and to know when to really dig deep and when to take it easy. I think I did that relatively well.”

The velodrome bronze was a “bonus medal” but Wednesday’s silver was “really satisfying”. 

“Getting that bronze in the team sprint was an amazing way to start the Games … [but] it’s not my focus event and not what I train for,” he said. 

The 29-year-old has been grateful for the presence of his Mum on the sidelines in Paris. 

“She didn’t get to support me in Tokyo,” he said.

“With me being back home in Melbourne for the last 12 months she’s been able to see me really prepare and really focus for this. 

“I spoke to her the other day and she was getting quite emotional. She actually said ‘when you were really into cycling when you were young, I thought this sport requires way too much dedication and training. You’re not going to stick with this’. 

“But she said ‘you proved me wrong and you’ve really done it. And I’m really proud of you’.” 

Lemon was “over the moon” with her silver medal won in the first waves of time trials.

“It was over before I thought it was over,” Lemon said, who added she was “not going to complain” about the two climbs on the circuit, bereft any classic Parisian landmarks next to the course. 

“I love climbing. It’s probably a little bit safer here with some of the cobbles [fewer cobblestones compared to] for some of the other riders. 

“We’re just lucky to be in Paris in the same environment. It would be cool to finish in front of the Eiffel Tower but you know we’re still really grateful to be integrated into the Olympics and Paralympics [movement].” 

Lemon took third spot by clocking a time of 21:44.16, just 4.92 seconds behind the gold medallist, Samantha Bosco of the United States.

Only 9.2 seconds separated the top-four, with Australian Emily Petricola the unlucky fourth-placed finisher, posting a time of 21:48.44.

South Australian Darren Hicks delivered bronze for Australia a decade after a motor vehicle accident resulted in him having his right leg amputated above the knee – a life-altering moment which eventually took him to the Paralympics and a gold medal in Tokyo three years ago. 

“It was a terrific course. It was technical. It was fast …. It had everything. The best riders won today,” Hicks said.

The 39-year-old posted a time of 19:40.08, 15.63 seconds behind French gold medallist Alexandre Leaute.

What’s next for Hicks isn’t completely clear after getting to his second Paralympics. But the road race awaits him first before heading home to Adelaide.

“I have no idea. I’m 40 in a couple of months,” he said. 

“I love the idea of it (going ahead to LA in 2028). We’ll wind down after this one. I struggled a bit after Tokyo with a few things mentally, so we’ll try and push through that. 

“It’s just nice to be able to come back. We’re not on top [of the podium], but we’re close to it.” 

The first medal of the day came from Paralympic debutant Alana Forster, who posted a time of 21:00.48 in the women’s C5 individuial time trial, 38.33 seconds behind Great Britain's Paralympic legend Sarah Storey.

“I’m pretty pumped actually,” Forster said.

“I had a race plan and stuck to it and did the best I could. 

“I’ve only been racing at this level for 18 months. It’s hard enough to make the Paralympic team, particularly the cycling team. 

“There’s such a strong field and you have to be a medal chance to even be considered for the team it’s that strong.” 

Amanda Reid was the seventh member of the team to take to the start hut today, finishing 13th in the women's C1-3 individual time trial.

Originally published on Paralympics Australia by Gennie Sheer.

Feature picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images