Tara Murray, with AAP
Seddon’s Jess Gallagher has added a Paralympic silver medal to her achievements, finishing second in the women’s B 1,000m time trial at the Paris Games.
Returning to the Paralympics for the first time since 2016, when she won her third Paralympic bronze medal, Gallagher qualified second fastest for the final.
Gallagher and pilot Caitlin Ward led the event with one rider to go.
After one lap, Great Britain’s Elizabeth Jordan was a second behind Gallagher’s time.
She came home strongly to win by more than half a second.
Gallagher now has four Paralympic medals, two each in both summer and winter Games.
“I was selected for five Paralympics in eight years at the start of my career and then had an eight-year hiatus,” Gallagher said.
“It’s incredible, because I didn’t think I would be back here, if I’m honest.
“So for us to deliver on that performance means the world to me.
“I’m really happy to be back on the team and to have had the opportunity to be out here today, and so for us to deliver on that performance is so exciting and means the world.”
Speaking before the Games, Gallagher told Star Weekly the disappointment of 2020 when she couldn’t compete was driving her.
She qualified for both para-cycling and para-rowing at these Games, but had to make the hard decision to focus on just para-cycling due to the schedule.
“At the time my tandem pilot made the decision to retire and consequently the sports system was unable to find a replacement leaving me with no ability to participate in track cycling let alone aspire towards Paralympic selection,” she said of 2020.
“It was devastating and was the catalyst for deciding to try rowing. I had one simple goal of giving myself every opportunity of making the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
“Over those years of learning to row, I also found a tandem pilot as well. It led to the unique privilege of representing Australia concurrently in two sports across 2022 and 2023 culminating in qualifying the Women’s tandem (cycling) and PR3 4+ (rowing) for the Paralympics.”
“I’m proud of the work I have put in to ensure the circumstances outside of my control would not dictate my ability to compete at another Paralympics. It will be special to see that work come to fruition in Paris.”
Meanwhile in the para-table tennis, Nathan Pellissier was knocked out in the mixed doubles and doubles in the round of 16.
