Van Gass Overcomes Injury to Secure Third Paralympic Gold in C3 3,000m Individual Pursuit
Jaco van Gass, the British Paralympic cyclist, once again proved his mettle by clinching gold in the men’s C3 3,000m individual pursuit at the Paris Paralympic Games. This victory marks his third Paralympic gold and his second consecutive win against fellow Briton Finlay Graham, whom he previously bested in Tokyo.
In a nail-biting final, Van Gass clocked an impressive time of 3:18.460, outpacing Graham who finished at 3:22.540. This achievement adds another chapter to Van Gass’s remarkable journey, especially considering the harrowing events of the previous week.
Just days before the competition, Van Gass was involved in a severe accident while preparing for the road course in Paris. A car pulled out in front of him, leading to a collision that sent him over the bonnet. The crash resulted in a concussion and serious concerns about whether he would be able to compete.
“I had a little accident last Friday,” Van Gass revealed in the mixed zone after his victory. “We did a recce of the road course last week, a car pulled out in front of me, and I went over the bonnet. We went through significant concussion protocols, I took a day off to let my body settle, then I was back on the bike.”
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Van Gass remained determined. “I was heartbroken; I literally thought this could be my Paralympics done. Other people saw me, they helped calm me down,” he said. Remarkably, by Sunday, he was back on the track, ready to compete.
Reflecting on his performance, Van Gass admitted that his qualification round was far from perfect. “I rode an average qualifier. I know I did well time-wise, but in terms of how I executed the ride, it was not perfect. I knew I had something to work on for the final; it was just whether the legs would be there or not. It paid off, and I’m just elated to be here,” he said.
Graham, who once again had to settle for silver, spoke highly of Van Gass’s resilience and skill. “It’s a carbon copy of Tokyo. I go out, break a world record, and I get about five minutes before Jaco’s taken it off me. Coming into it, Jaco’s the one to beat. He’s the reigning world champion and was the Paralympic champion in Tokyo. He’s able to peak at the right time. In this event, there’s no hiding – the strongest man on the day wins, and today, that is Jaco.”
For Van Gass, the difference between Tokyo and Paris was stark. “The game plan was always to become a Paralympian, let alone a medallist. I stood on top of the podium in Tokyo looking into the stands, and there was no one. I knew from that second on, I would have to try again knowing that Paris was next, knowing that we’d have those friends and family here,” he shared.
Van Gass’s victory in Paris is a testament to his perseverance and determination, not just in overcoming his accident but also in defending his title under extraordinary circumstances. As he stood on the podium once again, this time surrounded by cheering crowds, his triumph was all the more meaningful.
