A trio of medals in Tokyo
After a year’s delay, 2021 saw the Paralympic Games take place in Tokyo.
Attending her third Games was Exeter alumna Crystal Lane-Wright (Exercise and Sports Science, 2011) after she made her debut in London and secured both a silver and bronze in Rio. Crystal took part in the C4-5 road race, and both the C5 time trial and individual pursuit on the track and excelled in all three, coming away with three silver medals.
Crystal says: “It was pretty amazing getting to go to Tokyo after everything was put on hold for a year. And to get PBs and three silver medals at the end of it was definitely special.
“The build-up to this games was so different to the others. It was hard mentally training during the lockdowns but thankfully, unlike a lot of sports, in cycling you’re not dependent on specific facilities being open, you can just ride your bike on the road. We stayed more local and were more cautious but certain elements carried on, it was the coaching support I really missed.
“Then once we could get together again, because Tokyo had the potential to be very hot, we did a lot of training in this heat chamber to acclimatise and get prepared. That was physically very demanding but I think it definitely improved my fitness given the rest of my training was so broken up. Although of course, in the end my race was in the rain!
“It was strange going to the games alone with no friends or family. Before competing it actually felt pretty normal as you’re in a sort of bubble anyway but when I finished I immediately looked up at the stands for those familiar faces and obviously they’re not there. It’s strange, you’re really happy but also you’re missing those people you want to share the moment with and a small piece of you feels a bit empty.
“But I’ve realised now from London to Rio, and Rio to Tokyo that every games feels very different and no doubt Paris will too.”
A trio of medals in Tokyo
After a year’s delay, 2021 saw the Paralympic Games take place in Tokyo.
Attending her third Games was Exeter alumna Crystal Lane-Wright (Exercise and Sports Science, 2011) after she made her debut in London and secured both a silver and bronze in Rio. Crystal took part in the C4-5 road race, and both the C5 time trial and individual pursuit on the track and excelled in all three, coming away with three silver medals.
Crystal says: “It was pretty amazing getting to go to Tokyo after everything was put on hold for a year. And to get PBs and three silver medals at the end of it was definitely special.
“The build-up to this games was so different to the others. It was hard mentally training during the lockdowns but thankfully, unlike a lot of sports, in cycling you’re not dependent on specific facilities being open, you can just ride your bike on the road. We stayed more local and were more cautious but certain elements carried on, it was the coaching support I really missed.
“Then once we could get together again, because Tokyo had the potential to be very hot, we did a lot of training in this heat chamber to acclimatise and get prepared. That was physically very demanding but I think it definitely improved my fitness given the rest of my training was so broken up. Although of course, in the end my race was in the rain!
“It was strange going to the games alone with no friends or family. Before competing it actually felt pretty normal as you’re in a sort of bubble anyway but when I finished I immediately looked up at the stands for those familiar faces and obviously they’re not there. It’s strange, you’re really happy but also you’re missing those people you want to share the moment with and a small piece of you feels a bit empty.
“But I’ve realised now from London to Rio, and Rio to Tokyo that every games feels very different and no doubt Paris will too.”
A trio of medals in Tokyo
After a year’s delay, 2021 saw the Paralympic Games take place in Tokyo.
Attending her third Games was Exeter alumna Crystal Lane-Wright (Exercise and Sports Science, 2011) after she made her debut in London and secured both a silver and bronze in Rio. Crystal took part in the C4-5 road race, and both the C5 time trial and individual pursuit on the track and excelled in all three, coming away with three silver medals.
Crystal says: “It was pretty amazing getting to go to Tokyo after everything was put on hold for a year. And to get PBs and three silver medals at the end of it was definitely special.
“The build-up to this games was so different to the others. It was hard mentally training during the lockdowns but thankfully, unlike a lot of sports, in cycling you’re not dependent on specific facilities being open, you can just ride your bike on the road. We stayed more local and were more cautious but certain elements carried on, it was the coaching support I really missed.
“Then once we could get together again, because Tokyo had the potential to be very hot, we did a lot of training in this heat chamber to acclimatise and get prepared. That was physically very demanding but I think it definitely improved my fitness given the rest of my training was so broken up. Although of course, in the end my race was in the rain!
“It was strange going to the games alone with no friends or family. Before competing it actually felt pretty normal as you’re in a sort of bubble anyway but when I finished I immediately looked up at the stands for those familiar faces and obviously they’re not there. It’s strange, you’re really happy but also you’re missing those people you want to share the moment with and a small piece of you feels a bit empty.
“But I’ve realised now from London to Rio, and Rio to Tokyo that every games feels very different and no doubt Paris will too.”
So is a fourth games in the pipeline for Crystal?
She says: “Originally I just planned to do the three games but now I’m back from Tokyo I’m feeling like maybe I should aim for a fourth one. It would almost be a home games too, my friends and family could be there.
“I am really pleased with three silver medals and I’m happy with the times I did but I would still like to stand on the top step. I have won a UCI track championship gold but not a Paralympic one so my ultimate motivation is to go for that win.”
Crystal finished behind fellow British rider Dame Sarah Storey in all three events as Sarah became the most successful British Paralympian of all time. Since starting as a swimmer in 1992, Sarah has won an astonishing 28 Paralympic medals, 17 of them gold, and it’s partly down to her that Crystal became a cyclist. In 2009 at a British Cycling talent search event, Sarah spotted Crystal’s potential and took her under her wing. Crystal says: “Sarah is still incredibly strong after a nearly 30-year career and so to be able to ride with her and finish 1-2 on the podium with her is a real honour. She has been a real inspiration for me and I hope that I can also inspire other young people to give cycling a go."
OTHER SPORTING ALUMNI IN ACTION
In September, Max Stedman took part in the Tour of Britain. Starting in Cornwall, the second leg took him right past the University of Exeter on his way to a top 25 finish overall.
Freya Davies (Law, 2017), Amara Carr (Exercise and Sports Science, 2016) and Tom Abell (FCH, 2015) were all selected for The Hundred, a 100-ball cricket tournament run for the first time in summer 2021. Freya was also part of the England squad during the tour of New Zealand and against India, while Tom was named in the Lions squad to tour Australia and extended his contract with Somerset County Cricket Club where he is captain.
Clara Nielson (Biosciences, 2015 and PhD, 2020) returned to Exeter from the Bristol Bears, to join the Exeter Chiefs women’s rugby team with fellow alumna Poppy Leitch (Exercise and Sports Science, 2018 and PGCE, 2019).
Despite battling injury, Issy Bailey (English, 2016 and MA Global Literature, 2021) qualified for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo – the only British pistol shooter to join Team GB.
Back in February 2021 Johnny Fisher (History, 2020) won his debut professional heavyweight boxing match against Matt Gordon. He has since won a further three fights including a knockout victory over Alvaro Terrero.