Elisabeth Egger from Mühlviertel (Austria) celebrated her debut this year at the "Paralympics 2020" in Tokyo. Due to Corona, the games were postponed by one year. Read about the athlete's experience:
From August 24 to September 5, 2021, the Paralympics took place in Tokyo. For me, the plane left on August 23. After an 11-hour flight and a very long journey, we went to the opening ceremony at the station. At the entrance I stood directly behind the flag bearers. This feeling was just indescribably cool (even without spectators).
The next day very I was taken by cab from the Paralympic Village to the hotel to the other cyclists (Fuji Lake Hotel). We had some time to settle in, since we had to spend the first three days in quarantine.
On Thursday, August 26, we were finally allowed to go to the track at Fuji Speedway for training, where we were able to ride the course for the individual time trial. The rest of the day was spent back at the hotel. A shuttle took us to the track every day since it was 45 minutes from the hotel. Until Monday we could train every day on the track.
On August 31st we started with the individual time trial. Just before the start I was really nervous. Despite my nervousness I reached the 10th place after 16 km and could leave a competitor from Finland behind me.
The next day I continued with the road race. I started well, but at kilometer 9 I took a turn a bit too fast and crashed. Unfortunately the shift cable broke and I could not finish the race. Thank goodness this could be repaired after the race, so that I could start the next day in the team competition with Walter and Tom. Despite a lot of rain and quite slippery asphalt we finished with 9th place.
The last days we spent in the hotel. On September 4th we were brought to the airport by a shuttle bus. Our plane landed in Vienna at 4 pm.
It was a really great experience to be part of such a big event. Now my training continues as I am already looking forward to Paris 2024.
The entire Ascendor team has been cheering along during this time and wishes Elisabeth Egger every success in 2024 as well!