Parker’s gold creates history – and a NSWIS milestone

Lauren Parker’s victory in the gruelling H1-4 Para cycling road race at the Paris 2024 Paralympics not only boosted Australia’s gold medal tally, but it also allowed the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) to celebrate a significant milestone . . . the 200^th Paralympic medal won by one of its scholarship athletes.

Parker’s gold – Medal No.200 – shines brightly on the Institute’s Paralympic Roll of Honour, an indelible record of achievement which started 28 years ago at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games. It notes Janelle Falzon (pictured, left), opened the account when she won the bronze medal for the 100m backstroke S8 event.

Since then, some of Australian sports most inspiring figures have carved their name on the list. Among the luminaries are Track and Road warriors Louise Sauvage, Kurt Fearnley, and Madison de Rozario; Tennis ace David Hall, as well as ‘super fish’ Ellie Cole and Ben Austin.

Parker’s heroic victory at the Parisian satellite town of Clichy-sous-Bois – the route included a punishing 140m climb – crowned an outstanding Paralympics campaign for the 35-year-old. She also won the gold medal in the women’s PTWC Para triathlon and silver in the H1-3 Para (cycling) individual time trial.

The unstoppable Parker mastered the wet conditions to win the title in a time of 52 minutes and four seconds. By doing so she became Australia’s first dual-sport Paralympics gold medallist since 1976.

Indeed, Parker’s dominance is best reflected by the fact she defeated the defending Paralympic champion, Jenette Jansen of the Netherlands, by a mammoth four minutes and 11 seconds.

“I really can’t believe it, I certainly didn’t expect that,” Parker told the Nine Network.

“It was such a tough race; I just treated it like a time trial and made the most of my opportunity on the first hill to get away.”

While Parker said her arms were “smashed” after competing in her third event of these Games, she savoured her latest triumph.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work in training and my preparation,” she said.

“I’m just so stoked that it has paid off and I’ve come away with three medals in these Games and two gold.

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

NSWIS Chief Executive Officer, Professor Kevin Thompson, said Parker’s victory would be celebrated at the Institute for several reasons.

“Lauren’s incredible performance to win the 200^th Paralympic medal by a NSWIS athlete is a phenomenal milestone, and it is testament to the quality of work that’s done at the Institute on a daily basis,” Professor Thompson said.

“NSWIS has a strong and proud history of being a significant contributor to both the Olympic and Paralympic medal tallies.

“There is no question that each athletes’ success reflects their talent – and incredible resilience. But since it opened in 1996 the Institute has forged an enviable reputation for providing our scholarship athletes with world’s best support.

“That support ranges from providing athletes with world class venues to train from or a raft of support services, including sport science, sport medicine, data science, equipment technology and critically coaching.”

The 200^th Paralympic medal won by a NSWIS scholarship holder comes just weeks after swimmer William Yang notched the 100^th Olympic medal by the Institute’s athletes when he received a silver medal for his outstanding efforts as a heat swimmer for Australia’s 4 x 100m Men’s relay team.

Daniel Lane, NSWIS