PARIS PARALYMPIC GAMES 2024: PREVIEW
Para Triathlon was first introduced at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016, where 6 time Paralympian Catherine Walsh took on the course to compete for Ireland. 8 years later, the Irish Para triathlon team make a return with the largest squad to represent Ireland at the Paralympic Games. Let’s dive into what para triathlon is, who will be taking on the world stage – and where to keep up with the action.
TEAM IRELAND PARA TRIATHLON SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, 1ST SEPTEMBER
Chloe MacCombe & guide Catherine Sands (PTVI): 11.05AM
Judith MacCombe & guide Eimear Nicholls (PTVI): 11.05AM
Cassie Cava (PTS4): 11.40 AM Irish Time
Follow Paralympics Ireland on social media for live updates and tune in on RTE player.
What is para triathlon?
Para athletes race across swimming, cycling and running.
Swim: 750 metres
The swim kicks off on the floating pontoon at Pont Alexandre III, as para athletes enter the Seine before exiting the water and heading to transition 1.
Cycle: 20 km cycle
Once transition is complete, para athletes take on the bike course through the streets of Paris. Competitors will head into transition 2 once the cycle course is complete, for the final leg of the race.
Run: 5 km
The run course will take in the heart of Paris and towards the finish line, where 3 medals await for the 120 para-triathletes.
Transition:
Success in the competition also requires quick and seamless transitions from swim, bike and run. They need to switch from wetsuits to cycling outfits and equipment, and then to running shows or equipment.
Meet the para triathlon team
Cassie Cava: PTS4
Cassie Cava will compete in the PTS4 women’s race.
Cassie is heading into the Games having recently secured two gold medals in the last few months leading up to Paris, at the World Triathlon Para Series in Swansea & Devonport.
“It’s really exciting, I have worked really hard to get here and I think it’s been a journey – I lost my leg 10 years ago and have overcome a lot to get here. For me Paris isn’t about medals but about having the best race I possibly can.”
PTS4 stands for Para Triathlon Standing and the 4 indicates the degree of limitation involved in the sport. Cava has an impairment in two limbs, with club foot in her left leg and below knee amputation on her right.
Chloe MacCombe: PTVI B3
Chloe will compete in the PTVI women’s race, guided by Catherine Sands.
MacCombe has kept a strong steady performance throughout her campaign, claiming a medal at all 3 world series races she competed in this year: World Triathlon Para Series Yokohama (bronze), Montreal (bronze) and Swansea (gold). Chloe is a Commonwealth Games medallist, having won silver 2 years ago, after beginning her triathlon journey 3 years prior to the win. Currently ranked 3rd in the World Triathlon Paralympic Qualification Rankings.
MacCombe is keeping the same steady & focused mindset heading into the Games, sharing “we’re trying to keep in mind that yes – it’s the Paralympics – but it’s still the same distance. It’s such an amazing experience and a privilege – everyone talks about bringing home medals but for me even to stand on the start line in Paris is such an achievement.”
PTVI stands for Para Triathlon Vision Impaired, meaning the competitors will complete the swim tethered* to their guide, transition to cycle on the tandem bicycle with their guide positioned in the front on the bike, and then back to being tethered for the run.
*elastic rope connecting para triathlete to their guide.
Judith MacCombe: PTVI B3
Judith will compete alongside her twin, guided by Eimear Nicholls.
The pair joined forces just over a year ago & displayed impressive performances throughout the season to secure a spot on Team Ireland. Judith & guide Eimear most recently won gold at the World Triathlon Para Cup Samarkand, claimed bronze at the World Triathlon Para Series in Devonport and just missed out on the podium in Yokohama. Judith secured a strong 4th spot at the Commonwealth Games 2 years ago, and has claimed gold & silver (Italy 2023) medals throughout her triathlon career – which now spans across 5 years.
Ahead of the Games, Judith shared with BBC sport, “It’s about just knowing I’d left everything out there, hopefully staggering across the line as I’d given so much.”
Venue
Race will start and finish on the Pont Alexandre III, a bridge between the Seine’s two banks in central Paris. The bridge connects the neighbourhoods of the Champs-Elysees and the Invalides. Athletes will start with a 750m swim in the Seine before they race near iconic landmarks and monuments, including the Grand Palais, in the biking and running segments.
