You might think it would be a little awkward talking to the person who bested your Paralympic records.
But for Studio 1 host and former Paralympian, Sam Rickard, speaking to his successor has been a chance to talk shop.
2021 Tokyo Paralympic runner Sam Harding is this week’s guest on Studio 1’s podcast.
After getting fit ready for the 2012 London Paralympics but having to pull out due to glandular fever, Sam set his sights on Tokyo in 2020. Then a pandemic postponement gave him an extra year of preparation.
“It was interesting watching everyone's post-race interviews after Tokyo,” he told Studio 1.
“There was just there was a lot of emotion and I think that extra year preparation played all parts, really.”
For Sam, it wasn’t meant to be. He finished eleventh in the Men's 1500m T13.
“You know, maybe it'll be like a Bradbury type moment, even with a lap to go, I thought, I’m still a chance,” he said.
“And then everyone just took off and I tried to take off too, and I just got left behind.”
Post Paralympics, Sam is in Canberra training hard, and possibly dipping his toe in a new discipline.
“I've been swimming a bit and doing a ride or two… so I’m going to see how triathlon goes, really and maybe transition,” he said.
Listen to the full interview in the player below:
Studio 1 is Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
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