Dual-sport gold medallist Lauren Parker is celebrating her historic Paralympic campaign after she revealed she was made to battle through an upset stomach caused by swallowing water from the River Seine.
In Paris on Thursday, Parker achieved a rare feat, becoming the first Australian since Eric Russell in 1976 to win golds in two sports at the same Games.
Parker came first in the H1-4 para-cycling road race, finishing 4 minutes and 11 seconds ahead of reigning Paralympic champion Jennette Janson on a 28.4km course in the Parisian satellite town of Clichy sous Bois.
That gold came after she picked up silver in the H1-3 individual time trial the day before and after she had romped to first place in the PTWC1 para-triathlon on Monday.
The water quality of the Seine has been a big talking point throughout both the Olympics and Paralympics.
Parker’s triathlon – where athletes swam through a 750m stretch of the river – was delayed by 24 hours as a result of the water quality.
But while she grabbed a gold, Parker also picked up something that had the potential to derail her quest for multi medal success.
“Before the time trial and again today, I wasn’t feeling my best,” Parker said.
“I was quite nauseous and stuff like that.
“It was from the river swim in the triathlon, but I chose to push that aside, I had a job to do. I just got it done.
“(I had) an upset stomach a little bit and I was a bit nauseous.
“It’s hard mentally to do that, but I’ve overcome so much over the years throughout my life.”
Parker’s historical achievements were warmly received by Russell, who won three golds at the Toronto Games 48 years ago in discus, shotput and pentathlon.
“She is remarkable, there’s no doubt about that and I’ve loved watching her,” he told AAP.
“I think it’s a great thing that she’s done… records are made to be broken!”
Parker has undoubtedly become of the faces of Australia’s Paralympic campaign as she prepares to savour her final days in Paris.
Whether she opts to pursue other sports and other races as she looks towards the future remains to be seen.
But the 35-year-old knows she has plenty more to achieve.
“I couldn’t be more pleased, it’s very special,” Parker said.
“I’ve been all focused towards Paris so I know I’m going to have some downtime after Paris.
“I’ve got a couple more races left in a year, but then some downtime, and then focus on what life may bring after that.
“There’ll be some more racing, I know that but I definitely want to stay in sport and set new goals.”
