“I’m not a superhuman”

Reflecting upon Dame Sarah Storey’s journey, I am deeply moved by her resilience and determination. Her life story is a testament to the power of focus, strategy, and unwavering dedication. She faced adversity early on, yet she transformed it into fuel for her success. Her ability to identify and avoid toxic people, a lesson learned in her formative years, has served her well throughout her career.

As things stood, it wasn’t an optimal situation. On a peaceful Sunday morning, three weeks before the Olympics, Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey found herself participating in a charity event on a rural road in Sussex. “There was a rather aggressive driver in a speeding car who seemed determined to teach us a lesson,” she recalled. “He honked his horn and zipped past us at an unnecessary speed. He came dangerously close, if something had been coming from the opposite direction, he would have caused a head-on collision.” It’s uncertain whether he recognized whom he was intimidating. “I was dressed in my World Championship attire…”

A collision with Storey and the others in her group – all fellow members of British Cycling – doesn’t bear thinking about. Weeks later, 46-year-old Storey is en route to her ninth summer Paralympics. No British athlete has ever competed in nine consecutive Games; her total of 28 Paralympic medals, including 17 golds, already makes her the most decorated British Paralympian of all time.

In the same tactical style she displayed during the road race at the Tokyo Games in 2021, where she claimed her 17th gold, Storey intends to tackle the Paris circuit. Torrential rain made the 66km track almost unreadable. However, having committed it to memory, Storey knew how to navigate it, even with her eyes shut. On the final lap, while others were cautiously reducing speed on a hill with an overhanging tree at its corner, she sped down at 80 km/h and skillfully dodged the branches. Impressive indeed!

She expresses that she’ll bring her 33-year journey to the starting point, but does she expect to win? No, she clarifies. Instead of imagining victory itself, it’s more productive to envision the steps or process leading to a potential win, or even just completing the race. It’s all about focusing on what you can control – your individual pieces in the puzzle, one at a time.

In Manchester’s National Cycling Centre, we find ourselves with a view of the massive velodrome, but it’s not here where Storey rules the world. Her true domain is the roads outside, under the rain and amidst the gravel, a place where a fall can truly hurt. The trailer for Channel 4’s Paralympics currently shows her falling from her bike, aiming to convey that Paralympians are not superhumans, but ordinary people who feel the same pain when their bikes skid out of control. “We are no more superhuman than anyone,” she explains. “The resistance a rider experiences is identical in the Paralympics as it is in the Tour de France.”

We failed to translate the gains of the London Paralympics

Storey, who was born without full function in her left hand due to an entanglement in the umbilical cord, has noticed a shift in societal perception of disability throughout her career. “The attention has predominantly been on the prosthetic or the missing part of the body,” she explains. “It’s often associated with bravery and courage. However, I believe it’s essential to recognize people with disabilities for their exceptional skills and abilities rather than their condition. I aspire to see this approach extended to others, fostering an environment that empowers them to live their best lives without being patronized.”

Reflecting on my remarkable journey as a Paralympic athlete, it’s humbling to think back to when it all started in the swimming pool at the 1992 Barcelona Games, where I was only fourteen years old. That day, I brought home two gold medals, three silver, and one bronze. Over the following games in Atlanta, Sydney, and Athens, I added another three golds, five silvers, and two bronzes to my collection.

Initially, one could assume that following Athens, her task would be complete and she might retire. However, this wasn’t the case. An extended absence from swimming due to an ear infection forced her to explore another form of exercise, cycling, merely to maintain fitness. By the time the infection cleared up, she had shattered a world record on the bike, and Beijing was fast approaching. Since UK Sport couldn’t sponsor her in both sports, a decision had to be made.

As a film enthusiast, I recall the thrill when London secured the Games. My mentor then whispered, “The incremental progress you could make in the pool is minimal at this point, but your potential on that bike is immense. If you were my daughter, I’d encourage you to venture into the unknown.” We stood three years away from Beijing and seven years ahead of London. Time was on our side. Those words, among the wisest I’ve ever heard, ignited a spark within me.

Her swimming sessions significantly boosted her skills as a cyclist due to her exceptional ability to memorize information mentally. While swimming laps, she would rehearse French verbs, mathematical equations, and other school subjects in her mind, enhancing her almost photographic memory. This mental exercise allowed her to visualize the layout of an upcoming road race, including its unique characteristics and challenges. In essence, she could envision the entire route as if it were a mental map, identifying areas requiring extra effort, technical sections, potential rest points, and crucial moments near the finish line.

Her years as a swimmer were not easy. At school in Cheshire, the golden girl was not someone to be admired, but someone to be picked on, and Storey developed an eating disorder. “People would just stop talking when I walked into a classroom,” she says. “After Barcelona, my life was not normal for a child doing GCSEs; 20 per cent of my lessons I did at home. I would arrive at school with wet hair from morning training, then leave immediately after the school day, for evening training. All of that meant I was quite difficult to identify with, so people started making things up.”

She learned an early lesson about acceptance: “It’s all right if not everyone appreciates you. I had to learn to ignore those who didn’t, and focus on the ones who did. This experience has been invaluable for me throughout my career. It taught me to identify and avoid negative influences, move past them, and continue on my own path without needing a dramatic confrontation.”

When Storey goes back to school after winning her medals, she encounters an unexpected response from the adults. “I bring these medals to schools, but it’s often the grown-ups who get emotional. Some people even start crying. The younger children don’t really grasp what they’re holding. They might want to play with them. However, the adults… Sometimes, during a conference or workshop, I’ll place them in the center of the room while we’re conversing and let people examine them. They feel their weight and are often moved to tears.”

When people are toxic, I sidestep them and carry on

17th medal ceremony at an almost deserted Tokyo stadium during the pandemic held a profound significance. The athlete recalled thinking, “I must savor this moment,” as it was unusual and strange. Typically, the medal ceremony takes place swiftly after the race, making it a cherished reward if one has won it. However, everything happens so quickly that you’re still reveling in your victory and feeling relieved because you’ve been striving for that instant for such a long time.

In Tokyo’s absence of the usual crowds and family, Paris will feel markedly distinct. She is particularly elated because her children, Louisa, 11, and Charlie, 6, along with her husband Barney, a multiple Paralympic medallist who guided blind or partially sighted cyclists in tandem track events, will be accompanying her. “It’s on another level,” she says, “sharing in their excitement and witnessing it through their eyes. It’s incredibly enlightening for me as a mother. You reflect on the countless hours you spent feeding them at night, and all the efforts made to nurture them in the best possible way. And then they get to see me in the limelight, that intense situation where nothing else matters.”

Again and again, Storey’s collection of medals underscores the truth that thorough preparation is key. As put simply, “To achieve success, one must dedicate full effort to the task at hand and have a plan throughout. This strategy helps calm the nerves because you know exactly what you’ll do.”

During our conversation, the Paralympic symbol adorns the Arc de Triomphe, yet Storey is certain that Paris will not merely inherit London’s branding but will carry on its torch in more ways than just visual representation. “Paris has witnessed the impact of London where Olympics and Paralympics coexisted harmoniously,” Storey explains. “They aim to ensure that the Paralympics leaves a lasting legacy.”

In an ideal scenario, it could have been more impactful. We initiated a dialogue in London, yet its effects didn’t significantly influence the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. While athletes with disabilities receive training and opportunities to excel, everyday life often presents obstacles for them due to our oversight. The advancements made during events like the London Paralympics might have been motivating, but they failed to bring about tangible changes in the daily experiences of disabled individuals. For instance, trains still lack ramps, electric car chargers can create trip hazards, Lime bikes are often left blocking pavements, roads lack curbs suitable for the visually impaired, and so forth. These issues matter greatly.

She strongly advises that it’s crucial for us to make changes gradually. Right now, Paris stands at a unique opportunity to significantly impact the situation.

2024-08-20 13:04

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