Lauren Parker to turn into twin Paralympian at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games

Newcastle athlete Lauren Parker is ready to turn into the eighth Australian to compete at each the Summer 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 Paralympics, throughout triathlon, street race, and the ITT H3 occasions (particular person time trial, hand-cycling).

She additionally picked up a silver on the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Parker stated 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’s happened so fast, and I’ve put in a lot of hard work, and I’ve had to learn a lot of skills really quickly,” she informed ABC NSW Mornings with Paul Turton and Christie Dawes.

“I’m just so excited and so happy that I was able to get the job done.

“I’m nonetheless studying each a part of this, and I’ve been having fun with that problem.”

Parker said a close friend who was affiliated with Snow Australia introduced her to the world of skiing.

“[They] reached out to me and stated I may have some potential within the sport of cross-country snowboarding if I wished to provide it a go … and it isn’t too late to try to qualify for the Paralympics,” she stated.

Incredible feat

Cross-country skiing sees athletes compete in a 2.5-kilometre sprint, 10km and 20km races, or a team-style relay.

Biathlon takes cross-country skiing and combines it with target shooting, a skill Parker learned 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 stated.

“I’m doing all three occasions for biathlon and likewise all three occasions for the cross international locations as nicely … so I’ll have six occasions in complete.”

Three-time Paralympic medallist Christie Dawes, now an ABC presenter, stated Parker’s achievements and talent to adapt have been outstanding.

“[The winter events she’s competing in] have an analogous motion to wheelchair racing, which she does as one among her legs within the triathlon,” she stated.

“I’m so pleased with her, doing the double … the Winter and the Summer Games — it isn’t remarkable, however it’s uncommon for Australians.

“I think the fact that she’s been able to achieve so much in such a short amount of time tells you that she has the determination, the persistence and the dedication to really knuckle down and try something new and nail it.”