When Korey Boddington says he has become utterly obsessed with cycling, he isn’t exaggerating. The 28-year-old Paralympic debutant has gone so far as to eat nothing but homemade burritos for breakfast, lunch and dinner all year, just to ensure he is fuelling his body in precisely the right way for the track.
And it’s paid off. On Friday in Paris, he sprinted his way to a gold medal in the 1-kilometre time trial (C4-5) at the National Velodrome with a time of 1 minute 1.65 seconds – a breathtaking victory for someone who only took up track cycling early last year.
An Inspiring Journey to the Podium
Boddington’s journey to the Paralympic Games is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has an acquired brain injury and an impaired right arm from two near-death accidents in his childhood. The first occurred when he was just 11 years old. Playing cricket with his friends, he ran across a road to fetch the ball and was hit by a van.
“One of my mates flipped me over, and I’m spewing out blood, eyes are rolling in my head. That’s traumatic,” he said.
Boddington said he snapped several bones, lost some of his kidney and liver, and sustained nerve damage in his right arm, causing a dropped wrist for many years. Then, aged 15, he was in a serious motocross crash that caused a severe brain injury and permanently harmed the muscles and function of his right arm and shoulder.
He was in a coma for about three weeks and had to wear a tracheostomy tube to help him to breathe for years. “It was life over limb,” he said. “My arm froze up and suffered, but they (the doctors) kept me alive.”
Up until early 2023, Boddington only used a bicycle for commuting and the occasional lunchtime ride. But he was always most excited for his finishing sprint, so he gave the velodrome a spin. “I just got hooked,” he said. “There’s something about absolutely giving it your all, absolutely rinsing yourself, just leaving nothing. I love it. I’m a sucker for the pain.”
A Burrito-Fueled Gold Medal
Boddington’s dedication to his training is evident in his strict diet. He credits his success to a unique meal plan centered around burritos. “I really like routines, especially coming into this,” he said. “I eat a burrito for breakfast, a burrito for lunch and a burrito for dinner. Even here, I’m still eating burritos.”
This commitment to his training and his unique dietary approach have paid off, propelling him to the top of the Paralympic podium.
Petricola Defends Her Title
Moments after Boddington’s win, 44-year-old Petricola also clinched gold when she lapped her opponent, New Zealander Anna Taylor, with a few hundred metres left to go of the 3-kilometre final. It was an emotional win for Petricola, who has been battling a recent flare-up of her multiple sclerosis. “It’s been a really tough last eight weeks… so this [win] was no guarantee for me,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Petricola demonstrated her unwavering spirit, showcasing her determination to overcome adversity. She embraced her family and friends in the audience, saying they had seen her at “her very worst”. “I just feel so incredibly proud that I was able to do this and give them this moment, so that they can also see the very best, despite everything.”
A Silver Medal for Gallagher and Ward
Next to secure an Australian medal was Gallagher, who has a vision impairment and is competing at her fifth Paralympics on a tandem bike with her sighted pilot, Caitlin Ward. The pair was only just pipped for gold by half a second by the British. Gallagher said she was over the moon with the result. Her last appearance at the Paralympics was Rio 2016. “It’s incredible because I didn’t think I would be back here, if I’m honest,” she said. “When you’ve won a world championship, silver medal in 2019, and then you’re removed from the team because there’s no pilot available for you, it’s devastating.”
Ward explained that she and Gallagher live in different states, yet still made their pairing work. “We wanted this so much, but it wasn’t possible without all of our family support.”
A Day of Triumph for Australian Cycling
The victories at the velodrome on day two of the Paris Games bring Australia’s total gold medals to three, after swimmer Tom Gallagher won the 50-metre freestyle the day before. These triumphs showcase the exceptional talent and determination of Australia’s Paralympic athletes, who are inspiring millions worldwide with their incredible achievements.
A Moment of Inspiration
The stories of Boddington, Petricola, and Gallagher serve as a reminder of the power of perseverance and the ability to overcome any obstacle. Their success on the world stage is a testament to their dedication, resilience, and the unwavering support of their families and loved ones. They have not only achieved their sporting goals but also demonstrated the true spirit of the Paralympic Games: to inspire and empower all people to reach their full potential.
As the Paris Paralympics continue, Australian athletes will strive to add to their medal tally, but regardless of the outcome, their stories will continue to inspire generations to come.
