Newcastle athlete Lauren Parker is ready to grow to be the eighth Australian to compete at each the Summer time and Winter Paralympics, with the gold-medal-winning triathlete to contest the cross-country snowboarding and biathlon occasions in Italy.
The 37-year-old received two gold medals and one silver on the Paris 2024 Summer time Paralympics, throughout triathlon, highway race, and the ITT H3 occasions (particular person time trial, hand-cycling).
She additionally picked up a silver on the Tokyo 2020 Video games.
Lauren Parker competes within the para-triathlon combined relay on the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals. (Provided: Aus Triathlon/Delly Carr)
Parker mentioned she first tried snow sports activities a few 12 months in the past, and had by no means skied till June final 12 months.
“It is occurred so quick and I’ve put in loads of arduous work and I’ve needed to study loads of expertise actually rapidly,” she advised ABC NSW Mornings with Paul Turton and Christie Dawes.
“I am simply so excited and so pleased that I used to be in a position to get the job accomplished.
“I am nonetheless studying each a part of this and I have been having fun with that problem.”
Parker mentioned an in depth buddy who was affiliated with Snow Australia launched her to the world of snowboarding.
“[They] reached out to me and mentioned I may have some potential within the sport of cross-country snowboarding if I wished to provide it a go … and it is not too late to attempt to qualify for the Paralympics,” she mentioned.
“When somebody dangles that in my face, I am at all times up for the problem.”
Lauren Parker is ready to grow to be the eighth Australian to compete at each the Summer time and Winter Paralympics. (Provided: Paralympics Australia)
Unimaginable feat
Cross-country snowboarding sees athletes compete in a 2.5-kilometre dash, 10km and 20km races, or a team-style relay.
Biathlon takes cross-country snowboarding and combines it with goal taking pictures, a talent Parker discovered by being “thrown within the deep finish”.
“I picked up the rifle for the very first time two days earlier than racing in Canada in December, in order that was the primary time I ever shot an precise rifle,” she mentioned.
“I am doing all three occasions for biathlon and likewise all three occasions for the cross nations as nicely … so I will have six occasions in whole.”
Three-time Paralympic medallist Christie Dawes, now an ABC presenter, mentioned Parker’s achievements and talent to adapt have been exceptional.
Lauren Parker received gold within the H1-4 highway race on the Paris 2024 Summer time Paralympics. (Provided: Paralympics Australia)
“[The winter events she’s competing in] have an analogous motion to wheelchair racing, which she does as one in all her legs within the triathlon,” she mentioned.
“I am so happy with her, doing the double … the Winter and the Summer time Video games — it is not unparalleled, however it’s uncommon for Australians.
“I feel the truth that she’s been in a position to obtain a lot in such a brief period of time tells you that she has the willpower, the persistence and the dedication to essentially knuckle down and check out one thing new and nail it.”
