British cyclist Jaco van Gass, who lost his left forearm in combat, has overcome yet another setback to win gold and set a world record in the men's 3000-meter individual pursuit at the Paralympics.
Jaco van Gass, the South African-British cyclist, has triumphed over adversity once again. Just days after being hit by a car in Paris, van Gass won gold and set a new world record in the men's 3000-meter individual pursuit at the Paralympics.
Triumph Over Adversity: Jaco van Gass Wins Gold and Sets Record After Surviving Car Accident
Van Gass's journey to the podium has been filled with challenges. As a member of the UK parachute regiment in the 2000s, he was deployed to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty in 2009. Near the end of his tour, he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in combat and lost his left forearm.
After undergoing 11 operations to recover from his injury, van Gass became an amputee. But that didn't stop him from embarking on a series of extreme athletic feats, including a hike to a polar ice cap, downhill skiing, extreme marathons, and cycling.
Triumph Over Adversity: Jaco van Gass Wins Gold and Sets Record After Surviving Car Accident
His Paralympic debut in Tokyo in 2021 was a momentous occasion, but van Gass left Japan wanting more. Determined to share his triumph with his family, he made a decision to focus on training and not go off on crazy adventures.
Just days before his competition in Paris, van Gass was struck by a car. At that moment, he believed his chance at defending his Paralympic gold medal was gone. But somehow, he ended up better than expected.
Triumph Over Adversity: Jaco van Gass Wins Gold and Sets Record After Surviving Car Accident
"I was heartbroken … I had a big cut on my head, but I had a few scans, and I was cleared. I was looked after really well," he told reporters. "The next day is always the hardest, because that’s when you’re very sore and stiff. The Saturday was very hard to comprehend – will I be riding? By the Sunday, I was on the track."
Despite his injuries, van Gass made it back to the velodrome in time for his competitions and defeated his teammate Fin Graham in the final with a record-breaking performance for Team Great Britain.
"I wasn’t worried about the cuts, but my knee was really badly bruised, but within two days I was back on the bike," van Gass added of his injuries. "I did a session at the velodrome, and then I knew I’d be okay. After all, it was only a Renault!"
The 38-year-old cyclist added his third gold after winning two at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 in individual pursuit C3 and mixed team sprint C1–5.
Van Gass's triumph is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he has faced, he has never given up on his dreams. His story is an inspiration to us all.
