Lauren Parker’s triathlon redemption seals seventh Paralympic gold for Australia

Lauren Parker has buried the pain of her Tokyo heartache, completing Paralympic redemption by sealing a gold medal in a dominant PTWC triathlon win.
Parker had to settle for silver in Japan three years ago after losing to American Kendall Gretsch by just one second.
But on Monday morning (local time) in Paris – after poor water quality had postponed the triathlon event by 24 hours – Parker was in a mood to go one better.
The 35-year-old’s victory sealed Australia’s seventh gold medal of the 2024 Games.
Parker cruised through the opening leg of the triathlon, a 750m swim through the Seine, to establish an early lead of 52 seconds.
Gretsch was third out of the water but the American had Parker in her sights, making up ground as they transitioned to the hand cycle.
Across the five laps through a 20km cycling course, Gretsch moved up into second and began to loom over Parker’s shoulder.
The Australian was one minute and 58 seconds ahead of her American rival after the pair had both transitioned into the 5km wheelchair run.
Gretsch began to surge but Parker was in no mood to let up as she crossed Pont Alexandre III, bursting into tears as she crossed the finish line.
The American took silver, with Canada’s Leanne Taylor claiming bronze.
Meanwhile, in the men’s PTWC triathlon, Australia’s Nic Beveridge finished sixth.