The Paralympic Games get underway in Rio this week. Paratriathlon will make its debut over two days of competition on Copacabana Beach. ParalympicsGB has selected a strong team of British paratriathletes, with World and European Champions included.
Here’s some of the essential information you might want to know about Paratriathlon at the Paralympic Games, including how to watch:
Schedule:
Paralympic Games opening ceremony: Wednesday 7 September
Paralympic Games closing ceremony: Sunday 18 September
Men’s paratriathlon races, Saturday 10 September
PT1: Joe Townsend, Phil Hogg – 11:20am start (3:20pm UK time)
PT2: Andy Lewis, Ryan Taylor – 10:03am start (2:03pm UK time)
PT4: David Hill, George Peasgood – 10am start (2pm UK time)
Women’s paratriathlon races, Sunday 11 September
PT2: No British competitor
PT4: Lauren Steadman, Faye McClelland, Clare Cunningham – 10am start (2pm UK time)
PT5: Alison Patrick/Hazel Smith*, Melissa Reid/Nicole Walters* - 11:35am start (3:35pm UK time)
*guide
ParalympicsGB athletes:
PT1
Joe Townsend, age 28, from Eastbourne: Former Royal Marine injured in Afganistan in 2008. European Championship bronze 2016
Phil Hogg, age 46, from Heanor, Derbyshire: Broke his back in a cycling accident. His first ever international triathlon was the European Championships in 2013, in which he won gold.
PT2
Andy Lewis, age 33, from Lydney, Gloucestershire: Through the knee amputee, races with a full right-leg prosthetic. Current World and European Champion.
Ryan Taylor, age 23, from Derby: Former England U21 cerebral palsy footballer. Cerebral palsy affecting right side. World Championship bronze 2015.
PT4
David Hill, age 27, from Exmouth: Born without left forearm, races the bike section with a prosthetic. Youngest member of ParalympicsGB swimming team in 2004, switched to triathlon and won 2014 national title.
George Peasgood, age 20, from Saffron Walden, Essex: Childhood injury to left lower leg means he has reduced muscle and movement. Youngest member of GB Paratriathlon squad and National Champion 2015 & 2016.
Clare Cunningham, age 39, from Cambridge: Born without left forearm, races the bike section with a prosthetic. Paralympic swimming champion from Barcelona 1992, competed in Atlanta 1996. Took up triathlon in 2006, won world title in 2009.
Faye McClelland, age 36, from Eastbourne: Born without left hand. Took up Paratriathlon in 2009 and won the World title in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013.
Lauren Steadman, age 23, from Portsmouth: Born without right forearm, races the bike section with a prosthetic. Represented ParalympicsGB as a swimmer in Beijing 2008 & London 2012. World Paratriathlon Champion 2014 & 2015, European Champion 2016.
PT5
Alison Patrick, age 28, from Dunfermline: Visually impaired. Came to triathlon from running background in 2013, won World title in 2014 and 2016.
Melissa Reid, age 25, from Cornwall: Visually impaired. 2016 World Championship bronze and European silver. World Champion 2013.
Full start lists: http://www.triathlon.org/paralympics/start_lists
Paratriathlon sport class definitions:
PT1 - Wheelchair users. Athletes use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment.
PT2 - Athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athethosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.
PT4 - As above with less severe impairment.
PT5 - Total or partial visual impairment with less than 10% vision, competes with a guide.
How to watch:
Channel 4 and BBC radio hold the rights to Paralympic Games coverage. However, they will not be provided with a live feed of TV pictures in order to show the events as they happen. Highlights packages will be available in English via Paralympic.org and via Channel 4, more details will be posted as soon as we know them.
Live timing will be available and British Triathlon will provide social media updates. More details of where to follow the live timing will be posted later this week.
