Reflections on 2016
Ross Wilson - 2016 Rio Paralympic Games silver medalist - C1 Individual Pursuit and C1 Individual Time Trial
Rio 2016 was a great experience, definitely a life changing and perspective changing experience. For those out of the loop, I took silver in the men’s c1 individual pursuit and silver in the men’s c1 road time trial.
I can’t take full credit for results without acknowledging my coaches (Cam Jennings, Dean Somerset and Sebastien Travers), PRW for the continued mechanical and equipment support, and Juventus club members for training and encouraging me (the track squad, masters group and in particular Dan Nelson, Tino and Carl).
It’s impossible to adequately convey the emotions, thoughts and experiences from the games, and any attempt I could make would fail to do justice to what is the pinnacle sporting event for para athletes.
Ross Wilson - 2016 Rio Paralympic Games - gold/silver match C1 IP
I’ve shared five “lessons” that always come to the forefront when I reflect on my first Paralympic game experience.
1 – Catching a rival during a pursuit is more satisfying than any negative words you can say publicly; always let your ability speak for itself.
2 – Winning silver is like kissing your cousin; yes it counts as a result, but it’s not the gold and certainly not what you want to brag to your friends about.
3 – The most disabled category of para cycling (c1) wins a 1 km time trial with a speed (1:12) about 10 seconds slower than the world junior record, and faster than most “masters” categories. You need to be seriously fast to win.
4 – While cycling is a lot of fun, a high degree of professionalism and dedication is required in training – that’s where the difference is really made regardless of what discipline you’re in.
5 – Nothing trumps race experience.
Ross Wilson - 2016 Rio Paralympic Games - Road Race