For British triathlete Lauren Steadman, reaching the podium at the 2024 Paralympic Games was particularly meaningful. The bronze medallist had a long battle with COVID-19, making her journey to Paris particularly difficult.
The 31-year-old caught COVID-19 in March on her way home after a race in Abu Dhabi was cancelled. The virus severely affected her breathing and she had to take several weeks off training, she said. Bird 247“COVID attacked my central nervous system and I’ve had long COVID ever since,” she said. BBC SportsIn July.
Steadman was finally given the go-ahead by doctors to resume racing six weeks before the Paralympics. BBC Sports She didn’t feel ready to go to Paris, but her team was devising a plan to get her ready.
Just making it to the Paralympics start line was even more emotional. During the Sept. 2 race, Steadman was neck and neck with British teammate Claire Cashmore and American Grace Norman in the women’s paratriathlon PTS5 swimming and cycling portions, but the U.S. team star pulled away in the running. Cashmore took second place, and Steadman won the bronze medal. (The PTS5 classification is for milder disabilities, and amputees can use approved prosthetic limbs or other assistive devices in both the cycling and running segments.)
“I had zero expectations today. COVID-19 totally messed up my plans. If you’d told me a few months ago that I was going to be doing a hard run, I would have been in bed for two days,” she told Tri247. “Just getting to the start line was a huge undertaking. [today] It was fantastic.”
According to CDCLong COVID is a chronic illness that develops after an initial COVID infection and symptoms last for at least three months. People with Long COVID may experience symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, palpitations, and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms may often worsen after exertion.
“It was a great feeling,” Steadman said after winning the bronze medal. Paralympics UK She was still battling long COVID since being diagnosed six months ago, which made her appearance on the podium all the more special.
“I gave it my all to be there,” she told the British Paralympic Committee. “I didn’t know if I’d be on the podium or not, I just wanted to bring home a medal for Paralympics Britain.”
Entering the Paralympic Games as the defending champion made preparations more difficult, but Steadman’s experience, A highly anticipated return to sport After suffering a post-Tokyo Paralympics depression, the experience ultimately helped him change his mindset heading into the race in Paris.
“I wanted to be 10 times stronger yesterday but actually when I was lying in bed feeling sick I put it all in perspective that I could still go. I would do my best on the day and I just didn’t want to let everyone at home down,” she told ParalympicsGB.
Steadman, whose legendary career saw him win three Paralympic medals, BBC Radio Manchester She said Paris will probably be her last Summer Olympics. She plans to continue her PhD at the University of Portsmouth, where she is researching mental health in athletes, and hopes to qualify for the 2026 Milan Winter Paralympics in cross-country skiing.
“I think when you’re really happy and you enjoy something it’s a good time to retire. I love triathlons and I love cycling but maybe not to my usual performance standards,” she told the BBC.
SELF is your go-to source for all things Paralympic – check out our coverage of the Paris Games here.
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