Self-proclaimed “rainbow roomies” Paige Greco and Emily Petricola have given Australia a dream start to the Paralympics, winning the first two gold medals of the Games.
The cyclists were in tears on Wednesday at the Izu Velodrome after they broke their own individual pursuit world records and dominated their gold medal ride-offs.
First, Greco broke her own world record in the C3 3000m pursuit final and a few minutes later, Petricola caught American rival Shawn Morelli to win the C4 pursuit gold.
The Paralympic debutants were the reigning world champions and world record holders in their pursuit events.
They also have more medal chances later in the Games at the road races and time trials.
Greco and Petricola have been roommates in Australian teams and their nickname comes from the rainbow jersey awarded to each cycling world champion.
Petricola, 41, was introduced to the sport by rowing Olympic medallist Matt Ryan in 2015 and was coached initially by track cycling legend Shane Kelly.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 14 years ago, her weight ballooned to more than 100kg before she took up cycling.
“Words can’t describe how grateful I am to Matt Ryan and Shane Kelly for what they did for me early on in the piece,” she said.
“They’ve changed my life and they’ve saved my life. I was in such a dark place when Matt suggested this.”
Petricola broke her own world record when she qualified fastest in 3:38.061.
She made a shaky start against Morelli and looked in trouble when she was .951 of a second down after the first lap.
But Petricola then dominated and caught Morelli well inside the last kilometre.
“I’m so surprised that just happened – I didn’t know where she was, I had no idea. It’s shocking,” Petricola said.
Compatriot Meg Lemon lost her C4 pursuit bronze medal ride-off to Canadian Shawn Keely.
Earlier, Greco also broke her own world record on Wednesday when she qualified fastest in 3:52.283.
The 24-year-old Adelaide rider then easily beat China’s Wang Xiaomei in their gold medal ride-off.
Greco, who has cerebral palsy, clocked three minutes 50.815 seconds and Wang rode 3:54.975.
“I’m just so happy. Can’t believe we did it. It was a good race. Yeah. I still can’t believe it. I can’t thank the team at AusCycling (enough), my coach, their support is amazing,” Greco said through tears.
Immediately after Greco and Petricola won their events, British rider Dame Sarah Storey added to her legend when she took out the C5 pursuit – her 15th Paralympic gold medal.
AAP
