Rio Paralympics: Angie Ballard is on track for an elusive gold

ANGIE Ballard says she has had her “mint moment” as an athlete, but the soon-to-be five-time Paralympian may rethink that if she can pick up an elusive gold in Rio this month.

ANGIE Ballard says she has had her “mint moment” as an athlete, but the soon-to-be five-time Paralympian may rethink that if she can pick up an elusive gold in Rio this month.

Breaking a six-year-old world record in the 400m T53 last year, at the IPC Grand Prix in Switzerland, is the moment Ballard describes as her greatest achievement.

The 34-year-old wheelchair racer has picked up three silver and two bronze medals since her Paralympic debut in Sydney, but she says it’s moments like breaking the longstanding world record that mean the most to her.

“I think for me breaking the World Record last year was pretty much (the highlight) for me,” she said, “in terms of being an athlete, it was my mint moment.

Angie Ballard is looking for an elusive Paralympic gold medal.

“It was actually quite removed for me from coming first ... it’s re enforcement to me that as an athlete I’ve gotten really good at what I do, and I’ve always dreamt of being one of the people setting the standard in my sport.”

Ballard will have a full schedule in Rio, contesting 100m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m events, and possibly a relay on the track.

But it’s the 400m which could be her defining Paralympic moment.

“The 400m is my thing,” she said. “I’m ranked within the top two for my 100 and 400, so I would like a result that reflects that, but again they’re some girls that have been improving quite rapidly over the last few years.”

Ballard will race in the 100m 400m, 800m, 1500m events in Rio. Picture: Ian Munro

Ballard said that, like the recent Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games were likely to bring some surprising results.

“It’s always hard to tell, as we saw at the Olympics, some of the favourites didn’t do as well as they would have hoped,” she said. “I think I’m in really good form, it’s actually the best I’ve ever gone into a Games.

“It’s hard to tell (where you’re at), I watched the Olympic Games and it comes down so much to execution on the day and kind of your taper and stuff, and can you bring it all together so you’re performing at the right moment.

“I’m probably freaking out a little bit right now — I’m less injured than I was in London, and the last couple of years have been really strong so I’m positive, but there’s still details that have to come together, so you just don’t know if it’s all there until you want it to all be there.”

Retired Paralympian Louise Sauvage (left) is Ballard’s friend, coach and role model.

But, if she’s freaking out, Ballard can draw comfort from having her good friend and Aussie Paralympic icon Louise Sauvage in her corner (as her coach).

“I’ve been exposed to Louise Sauvage my whole life and she set the standard — she was the standard — when I started racing,” she said.

“My first coach used to tell me all the time that (Sauvage) was breaking PBS every week — which I realise now wasn’t possible.

“She was like a titan for me, and you dream of being one of these people who sets the standard.”

Ballard lives in Camperdown, in Sydney, and trains at Sydney Olympic Park with NSWIS. Picture: Kristi Miller

Ballad says that when she broke the world records last year, that it felt like it was finally her turn to be a titan.

“To be in the position, even if it was just for a moment, was a really huge athletic high,” she said.

Only time will tell if Ballard has another titanic moment (or moments) in Rio, but, win or lose Australians will be excited to know that the Sydney local has no plans to retire from racing any time soon.

“I’m not making a commitment (beyond Rio) but I have no intention to stop right now,” she said.

“I feel like I have the capacity for more as an athlete, there’s more things I want to do, and feel like I can do.

“I still enjoy training, as long as that keeps ticking along ... and of course I think Tokyo would be awesome.”

Ballard trains with Australian team mate Madison de Rozario (right). Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Originally published as Rio Paralympics: Angie Ballard is on track for an elusive gold