Lauren Steadman facts
- Born: 18 December 1992
- Just finished Psychology degree at Portsmouth University
- Made Paralympic debut in Beijing aged 15
- Won freestyle relay gold at 2009 and 2011 IPC European Swimming Championships
- Won 400m freestyle bronze at 2009 Euros
- Won European Para-tri gold in 2013
Great Britain’s Lauren Steadman became the first athlete in three years to beat Faye McClelland, as she won the London World Series Paratriathlon. Steadman crossed the line in one hour nine minutes 44 seconds, 2:02 ahead of compatriot McClelland in Hyde Park.
“I just went out to give it my all, try my hardest and hope for the best,” Steadman told BBC Sport.
“I beat a four-time world champion, which I never thought would happen this year.”
The 21-year-old, who switched from swimming after the London 2012 Paralympics, built up a lead of over two minutes and 30 seconds in the initial swim stage of the Tri4 class for athletes with arm impairments.
McClelland, 35, was unable to overturn that deficit despite being marginally faster over the cycling and running stages, as well as in the transitions.
“I feel a bit numb – gutted obviously – but I did my best. It just wasn’t enough today,” McClelland told BBC Sport.
“Lauren’s an awesome competitor.
Two-time Paralympic swimmer Lauren Steadman tells us about the challenges of switching from swimming to triathlon
“But it’s good to have the competition. It’s going to push me on more. There are some things I need to work on.”
McClelland, who had won each world title in her category since 2010, missed most of 2013’s major races while she wrote her university dissertation.
Steadman, who is one of BBC Sport’sParalympic Ones to Watch for 2014, and McClelland battled it out at the recent World Series event in Yokohama, with McClelland triumphing by 11 seconds.
ITU has committed to support the development of paratriathlon for over 15 years. There are currently five sport classes for athletes with an impairment to compete in over the sprint paratriathlon distance of 750m swim, 20km bike (hand bike/tandem), 5km run (racing wheelchair) at all ITU Paratriathlon sanctioned events each year. Paratriathlon will become a Paralympic sport for the first time at Rio 2016.
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