Canadian Para triathlete Stefan Daniel’s hopes of capturing gold at the Paris Paralympics were dashed on Monday after crashing during the bike portion of the men’s PTS5 event.
The 27-year-old Calgarian was leading his men’s race when he crashed his bike into a barricade and was knocked out of contention.
The veteran won silver when Para triathlon made its Paralympic debut in Rio in 2016, and was a bronze medallist three years ago in Tokyo.
After a schedule shuffle and then delays because of the Seine River’s water quality, races in 11 different classes got underway — with multiple classes on course simultaneously — at the ornate Pont Alexandre bridge.
Para triathlon is a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and 5k run.
Misjudged turn
Fifth after his Seine swim, Daniel had charged to the front with just over 5k remaining on the bike when he misjudged a hairpin turn and flew into the barricades.
He continued to race once he knew his bike was still operational, but his bid for another Paralympic medal was over.
Daniel’s face crumpled as he neared the finished line.
“You don’t get to go to too many Paralympics in a lifetime,” the Canadian said. “I’ve always held the strong belief if you’re physically able to finish a race., you do it. No matter what.”
He ultimately finished last among the field of 10 competitors in a time of 1:03:58.
NEVER QUIT<br><br>🇨🇦Stefan Daniel crosses the finish line to complete his triathlon here in Paris. Devastated no doubt after what we believe was a crash during the last part of cycling. He was in first place.<br><br>But then he got up. And finished. Because that’s who he is. <a href=”https://t.co/Mh2SX74MVg”>pic.twitter.com/Mh2SX74MVg</a>
—@Devin_Heroux
Daniel was composed after he was treated for scrapes in the medical tent.
“Right before the last lap, I went too fast into a U-turn and just went into the barricades,” Daniel said. “I just miscalculated it. Lapse of judgment. I was down before I knew it.
“It hasn’t really hit me. A little disbelief, shock. It would have been worse if I didn’t finish. I’m glad that I finished and I got across the line. I’ll take some comfort in that in a little bit here.
“Right now, yeah, I’m gutted.”
American Chris Hammer topped the podium with an overall time of 58:44, while Brazil’s Ronan Cordeiro (59:01) beat Germany’s Martin Schulz by 18 seconds for silver.
Taylor wins bronze, Frenette finishes 4th
His teammates Leanne Taylor, of Winnipeg, and Kamylle Frenette, of Dieppe, N.B., also competed on Monday.
Taylor, 32, earned triathlon bronze earlier in the day in the women’s PTWC category.
Frenette, 42, was fourth among PTS5 women.
“I was hoping for the podium, but fourth place in the world is really good,” Frenette said.
“Sitting on the pontoon, I was overlooking the Eiffel Tower. It’s such a beautiful venue, so really thankful for that.
“I’m always a bit nervous on the bike and I unfortunately saw my teammate crash, so that was a bit emotional to see that.
“The run, I was pretty solidly in fourth at that point so I just let myself enjoy and look around.”
Seine’s water quality headaches that plagued Olympic triathlon continued into the Paralympics.
Daniel saw his start time shuffled Sunday and ultimately his triathlon delayed a day.
Athletes awoke wondering if they would race, or if their triathlons would be reduced to a duathlon of a bike and a run.
