It’s not always about chasing personal glory. Gratification can be enhanced when you help someone else in that pursuit, and who knows, it might just be an Olympic gold too.
Triathlon champ Michellie Jones might have missed gold at the Sydney Olympics but she now has a second chance to be part of sporting history in Rio thanks to Katie Kelly, who has achieved extraordinary milestones in triathlon.
In just 18 months, Katie Kelly has gone from a weekend warrior with a dream to compete in the Hawaii ironman to being named on the Rio Paralympic triathlon team.
With para-triathlon making its debut at the September Games, Kelly and Jones have the opportunity to become the first ever gold medallists in the sport. Jones, the multiple world champion, Hawaii Ironman winner and Sydney Olympic silver medallist who will act as her sighted guide.
Kelly, 41, who has Usher Syndrome which causes deafness and blindness.
“I just consider myself so lucky to have her with me. She is a legend. It’s just quite incredible to me that in 18 months my whole life has changed like this. I’m breathless, ” continued Kelly.
Never give up
Kelly, knowing her eye sight and hearing would deteriorate, rang Triathlon Australia to inquire what her chances were of being able to qualify for a Hawaii Ironman early in 2015. Coming from a running background, contested her first para-triathlon in March 2015, joined forces with Jones in May the same year and then won a world championship with her new guide in September.
The pair swim and run tethered together and ride on a tandem with Jones navigating the course.
“She can only go as hard as I can but if I slack off she’ll let me know for sure,’’ Kelly said.
Source: Daily Telegraph Australia
