Paralympian Liesl Tesch ready to race for gold in Rio following robbery scare

DEAD dogs in the water is going to be one of the on-water factors sailors will have to deal with at the Paralympics this September, says Leisl Tesch.

Leisl Tesch after being named in the Australian Paralympic sailing team. Photo: Adam Ward

AUSTRALIA Paralympian Liesl Tesch says she’s not afraid to head back to Rio after being robbed at gunpoint in the city last month. Her other major concern is dead dogs.

Speaking after being named in the Australian Paralympic sailing team on Friday, Tesch said she was realistic about the risk factor when she returns for the Games in September.

“We all go over there knowing about the risks ... but we choose to be there,” she said.

Tesch and team official Sarah Ross were confronted by two armed men in broad daylight while riding bikes near their Rio hotel in late June.

Reigning Paralympic and world champions Liesl Tesch and Daniel Fitzgibbon after being named in the team for the Rio Paralympics. Photo: Adam Ward

“On one hand, it was frightening because of the gun. But another part of my brain was like `this was what was going to happen’ because of the nature of the city,” Tesch said.

The athlete, who previously went to the Paralympics as a basketballer, was confident her team would take ample precautions to lessen risk from contaminated water on the sailing course and Zika virus.

“We’re looking after our immune systems. If we get water splashes, we’ll deal with it,” Tesch said.

“I just hope we don’t get a dead dog caught in the keel,” Tesch said.

“We saw a dead dog wearing a Flamengo (football club) jumper when sailing (in Rio last year).” Tesch said she remained devastated that Paralympic sailing had been dropped from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics but hoped the sport’s international growth meant it would be included in 2024.

“I still can’t believe that it’s not in. It can’t believe that World Sailing didn’t do more work to ensure it’s in,” she said. “I think it’s very likely that we do get it back. It’s just such a beautiful sport. It can’t not be in.” Tesch is joined in the Paralympic sailing team by Daniel Fitzgibbon, Russell Boaden, Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Matthew Bugg.

Originally published as Paralympian Liesl Tesch ready to race for gold in Rio following robbery scare