Sarah Storey, Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, has expressed her frustration with the Paris Paralympics cycling time trial course, describing it as “appalling” after winning her 18th Games gold medal. Storey, competing in the women’s road event for the fifth consecutive Paralympics, faced a significantly shorter C5 race course measuring just 14.1km—much less than the usual minimum of 22km that athletes have come to expect. The legendary cyclist, one of 13 British riders competing on Wednesday, beat French rival Heidi Gaugain and took issue with the race length, highlighting ongoing concerns about parity in women’s cycling at the Games.
Storey’s victory, secured after trailing Gaugain by over seven seconds at the 5.8km mark, reinforces her status as a Paralympic legend, now holding 13 cycling golds and five more from her swimming career before switching sports in 2008. However, her criticism of the course’s length has sparked conversations about fairness in the sport. “This is the shortest Paralympic time trial we have ever had, and I think it’s a real shame because we don’t get to showcase Para-sport in the way we want to,” Storey stated, adding that athletes had appealed to organisers but received no response.
Reflecting on her experience, Storey emphasised the disappointment of not having equal race opportunities compared to her male counterparts, noting that only one women’s event—the B event for visually impaired athletes—matched the two-lap, 28.3km distance of several men’s races. The remaining women’s time trials, including Storey’s, were limited to just one lap of the 14.1km course. “There’s plenty of time in the day for us to do two laps like the men. Having fought so hard for parity in women’s cycling, to not have it is a real disappointment,” she remarked, criticising the organisers’ decision.
Despite the controversy, Storey remained focused and put her frustrations aside to deliver a stellar performance. “I had to put that aside and focus on what I could control because I couldn’t control the race distance. But I hope they never do this to the women again, because it has been appalling,” she said. Storey’s race strategy paid off as she powered through the final section, finishing the time trial in 20 minutes and 22.15 seconds, just 4.69 seconds ahead of Gaugain, with Australia’s Alana Forster taking bronze.
The 46-year-old athlete, competing in her ninth Paralympic Games, will aim for her 19th gold medal in the upcoming road race on Friday. As Storey reflected on her extensive Paralympic career, she expressed pride in competing with her family present, particularly her children, who were there to witness her latest victory. “Louisa said to me last night at dinner, ‘This is the first Games I’m going to remember.’ I’m utterly delighted. I had a target to get five gold medals [in time trial]. I feel so, so proud,” Storey shared, highlighting the significance of having her loved ones cheering her on.
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 135 | 81 | 66 | 282 |
| Great Britain | 51 | 44 | 39 | 134 |
| USA | 43 | 47 | 39 | 129 |
| Ukraine | 39 | 44 | 29 | 112 |
| Brazil | 27 | 36 | 28 | 91 |
Storey’s success comes amid a broader discussion about the need for fairer race conditions in women’s Paralympic events. Her comments have underscored a vital conversation about the representation of female athletes in cycling and the importance of equal race opportunities. While Storey’s victory stands as a testament to her talent and resilience, her call for change resonates with the broader sporting community, advocating for improvements in the way women’s cycling is showcased on the world stage.
On a busy day for the British cycling team, Fran Brown also secured a silver medal in the women’s C1-3 category, and Matthew Robertson and Daphne Schrager both finished fifth in their respective events. Brown echoed Storey’s sentiments, expressing a desire for a longer course that would better challenge the athletes. “I would have liked a bit of a longer course as well, we are capable of riding a bit further, but we all did the same course on the day, so make the most of it,” Brown said.
Storey’s latest gold extends her record as Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, now holding 29 medals. Her legacy as a trailblazer for women’s sport continues to grow, but her pointed critique of the Paris course serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equality in cycling.
For more details on the latest Paralympics results and news, visit the British Paralympic Association.
