Cyclist Megan Giglia claimed Great Britain’s first medal of the Paralympics when she won gold at the Rio Velodrome on the opening day of the games.
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The 31-year-old, who had a brain haemorrhage and stroke at the age of 27 had earlier broken her own world record.
Then a year later, while riding her bike, she broke her back in three places in a freak training accident.
Her world record qualifying time of 4:03.544 put her more than eight seconds clear of the United States’ Jamie Whitmore, her rival in the final.
Giglia only made her debut on the worldwide stage in 2015, two years after taking up the sport following a stroke suffered in January 2013. “I didn’t think I’d make it to Rio but I thought I’d try it anyway and give it a go”.
She said she dedicated every ride “to an individual and their family that have suffered as the result of a stroke”.
I’ve still got three events to go so we’ll have to see.
In an interview with ITV News, Giglia said she applied to Rio because she had a breakdown in her relationship.
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Last night, Giglia wrote on Instagram that she would be dedicating her performance to a young boy recovering from a stroke. “This one’s for you Alasdair”.
