Paralympics 2024: Aussie veteran falls painfully short in penultimate shot at elusive gold medal in Paris

A gold medal has eluded five-time Paralympian Michael Roeger for the best part of two decades, and just as it looked like his golden dream would ring true, he was pipped by a ‘neutral’ in Paris.

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 31: Michael Roeger of Team Australia competes in the Mens 1500m T46 Final on day three of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Stade de France on August 31, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Celebrating his greatest performance by sporting the same haircut as former AFL star Jason Akermanis, veteran Australian distance runner Michael Roeger has vowed to take one last shot at his ultimate goal after coming agonisingly close to capturing his first Paralympic gold medal.

Racing at his fifth Paralympics, Roeger looked all set to break through for his first gold medal in Paris after opening up a big lead in the men’s 1500m final in his amputee class.

But with the finish line in sight, and his opponents quickly closing in after he had all done all the hard work up front alone, Roeger was overtaken by Russia’s Aleksandr Iaremchuck and had to settle for the silver at a raucous Stade de France.

Michael Roeger was overtaken late in the race by Aleksandr Iaremchuck. Picture: Getty Images

“Far out, I’m happy,” said Roeger, who is missing the lower half of his right arm.

“You always want more when you come second. I executed the race plan but the last 50m was tough, thankfully I did enough early and only one fella caught me.

“The dream is still there to stand on top of that podium, second’s tough, but I’m bloody proud how we’ve gone the last three years.

“It’s my second Paralympic medal. It’s a tough sport. Everyone wants that gold.”

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The marathon world champion in 2019, Roeger was the overwhelming favourite to win gold at the last Paralympics, but suffered a shocking setback when he broke his leg six weeks earlier.

He still ran but was in agonising pain and unable to produce his best so has since switched to the shorter distance.

“It took me longer mentally to get back to the 1500m.” he said.

Silver medalist, Michael Roeger of Australia. Picture: Getty Images

“Physically I was pretty fit but mentally it was harder but now we’re firing on all cylinders, we broke the world record last year,” he said.

“The distance is hard but I left it all out there. I put it on the line and just come up short.

“And now I know what it’s like to play on the MCG, that crowd was amazing.”

The inclusion of Russians in the Paralympics is a contentious issue, because they are banned from representing Russia because of the conflict in Ukraine.

Instead they compete as “neutrals”, with no anthems, flags or recognition on the medals table.

While Roeger had mixed feelings about coming second he said he had no regrets about going out hard and trying to hold on.

“I can walk away with my head held high even though I wanted that gold. It was special. I had my twin brother in the crowd and he was in tears. That’s what it’s about. The sun comes up tomorrow,” he said.

“It’s my fifth Games and I’m still getting better. Who would’ve thought at 36 years old that I’ve got one more left in me.”

Known for his long black hair, Roeger also surprised everyone when he decided to go for a new look, getting a short back and sides cut and bleaching his hair with peroxide, confusing his rivals and even his own mates.

“I was walking around the village with my hat on and no-one really recognised me,” he said.

“I was sort of in disguise. Someone called me Jason Akermanis in the village. I got White Tiger as well.”