How motherhood propelled Vanessa Low to win her third gold medal

Paris: With her two-year-old son and husband by her side, Vanessa Low says winning her third gold medal has been the highlight of her life.

The 34-year-old long jumper proved once again why she’s the globe’s best in her event when she defended her Paralympic title by smashing her own world record on her first jump in Paris.

Vanessa Low won gold in the long jump at the Paris Paralympics, her third consecutive title win.Credit: Getty Images

Her jump of 5.45 metres comfortably secured her a third consecutive gold medal on Thursday night, beating her own world mark of 5.33 metres.

Her jump was 39 centimetres further than Italy’s Martina Caironi, the silver medallist.

It’s been an extraordinary return to elite sport for Low, who gave birth to Matteo in June 2022.

Low said it took a village to get her to this point in a little over two years, having ensured she could devote herself to training after her son’s birth.

Low with her two-year-old son Matteo and husband Scott Reardon, also her coach.Credit: Getty Images

Tears flowed as Low embraced Matteo and husband-turned-coach Scott Reardon, who were trackside at the Stade de France to watch her compete.

“They’ve been such a major part of my journey,” she said.

“I didn’t come back despite having a baby. I came back because Matteo changed me as a person, and I think he made me stronger, both physically as well as mentally.

“When I see his little face light up because he sees Mummy run down the runway and do long jump, and then next day copies everything when he goes to gymnastics, it’s just so special. So honestly, this is probably my most favourite moment in my entire career and, probably, life.”

Low’s win followed her gold medal victories in Rio and Tokyo.Credit: AP

Low said that before her record-breaking first jump, she tried to focus on controlling her nerves and start with a smile.

“I think that was the key ingredient. Anything done in a happy mindset is done better,” she said.

“Before the first jump, the pressure fell off and I was like, ‘This is where I’m meant to be’. I’ve worked for this so hard and we didn’t leave a single stone unturned in the last year.”

German-born Low became Australian after she met and married Reardon, a Paralympic gold medallist in sprinting.

She won her first gold medal in Rio 2016 for Germany, before backing it up in Tokyo, that time as an Australian.

Reardon retired from competition after Tokyo and has been coaching his wife ever since.

Low said her husband had propelled her to push further.

“No one knows me as well as Scott does. He really allowed me to gain that confidence in myself,” she said.

Low was 15 when both her legs were amputated – one through the knee, the other just above – after she stumbled from a crowded platform into the path of an oncoming train.

At the Paris Paralympics, she was the only long jumper in the competition to use two running blades. The other athletes had one each.

Low said she did not believe this gave her an advantage as all the athletes used the same technology.

“I think my major disadvantage is definitely the way that I can do the penultimate step … and obviously in the landing, it’s quite tricky for me as well,” she said.

“I think I’m the strongest athlete out there and I think I’m one of the fastest.”

‘I really want to see how far I can take this and inspire the next generation to pursue something amazing and push boundaries.’

Vanessa Low

Low isn’t about to stop pushing herself. Her next big goal is to jump six metres.

“I really want to see how far I can take this and inspire the next generation to pursue something amazing and push boundaries,” she said.

Low’s win came on a day of three gold medals for Australia.

At the pool, Timothy Hodge secured his maiden individual Paralympic gold medal in the men’s 200-metre individual medley (SM9).

Hodge had his right leg amputated as a four-year-old and told his mother at the time he thought he’d never be good at any sport.

“I felt helpless and when I told that to my parents, they were adamant that we’d find something I was good at,” Hodge said.

“I put my best foot forward [in] effort for years and years to get this today, and I’m extremely proud to say that all the hard times and everything was worth it.

“Everyone has low points in their life. I guess the measure of a truly resilient, truly inspiring person, isn’t necessarily what their best is. It’s that they can keep doing better than what they did before.”

Earlier, Lauren Parker won the cycling road race (H1-4), three days after winning gold in the triathlon.

Parker’s victories made her the first Australian in 48 years to win gold in two sports at the one Games, since Eric Russell triumphed in the pentathlon, shot put and discus at the 1976 Toronto Paralympics.

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