South Australia’s star para athletes say Tokyo Games will be worth the wait
Overcoming challenges has been the norm for many para athletes, but a South Australian trio who are leading contenders for the delayed Tokyo Paralympics say it will be worth the wait.
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Champion para athletes Paige Greco, Darren Hicks and Meg Lemon have been used to dealing with all sorts of challenges in their lives.
So it’s no surprise the trio has backed the Tokyo Paralympic Games being postponed to July 2021 because of the coronavirus, supporting the move as being “bigger than sport’’.
Hicks, 35, who had charges dropped against him in 2018 for being the driver of a truck which caused a 2014 double fatality at the base of the South Eastern Freeway, said the decision to postpone the Paralympics was the correct call.
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“We can’t complain,” Hicks said.
“What we are dealing with is crazy, so moving a sporting event needed to happen.
“There are more important things in life than a bike race.
“It is nice to do the things we do and in a way life hasn’t changed too much for me as regards training and life in general over the past few years.
“We are still able to get on the road and train by ourselves and we can do gym work.
“From a personal viewpoint I was coming into some of my best form with a few numbers in training in my hill climbs showing numbers I had not seen before.
“So, it will be harder from that end that I have another year to wait and my opposition will have more time to improve.
“But my job now is to stay focused and not be put out by what’s going on.
“It’s business as usual.’’
Hicks, of Happy Valley, is being guided by Cycling Australia coach Cameron Jennings who
also coaches Lemon.
For Glenelg resident Greco, under the direction of CA coach Dave Betts, the new date for Tokyo means reworking her program and keeping in the best shape possible.
“I understand the decision to postpone, I’m OK with that,” Greco said.
“I’m still able to do my gym work and riding on the road so I just have to keep looking ahead and doing what I can control. I’m sure it will work out.’’
Lemon, a sport dietitian who suffered a brain injury in a motor vehicle accident in 2015, said the move to 2021 for the Olympics and Paralympics was the correct decision.
“There are bigger things going on in the world which are more important than trying to rush an Olympics,’’ Lemon, of Seacliff, said.
“At the moment I would say Australia has an edge in preparation, as so many parts of the world are in total lockdown.
“So, from that end I want to see a fair competition and giving everyone that extra year will help.
“I’m not even sure of my position within the team or whether I will make it, but I’m doing my best.
“When we all come together next year it will be a great time to reunite.
“At the moment we are isolated but still able to train and do gym programs.
“We are very fortunate to do what we do.’’
For now, Lemon’s work as a dietitian is on hold in keeping with social distancing regulations.