2024-08-31 14:46:07
Track cyclist Franz-Josef Lässer missed out on a medal at the Paralympic Games at the velodrome in Saint-Quentin, Yvelines, on Saturday. The 23-year-old Styrian was more than 6 seconds behind American Elouan Gardon in the singles pursuit over 4,000 meters in the bronze medal match. Despite a thankless fourth-place finish, Russell’s pride remained: “I threw away my last shirt there.”
In the decisive race, the Styrian could not match his qualifying time of 4:25.009 minutes from the morning. He set the red-white-red record with 4:21.084. The Austrian had never run faster over this distance. “There are many factors that influence performance. You can’t just imagine that everything will go perfectly,” said the Styrian, analyzing the bronze medal race. “Just a few watts missing.”
Russell, who has had four fingers on his left arm severely shortened since birth, secretly hoped to win a medal. In recent years, Styrian people have quietly and secretly risen to the top of the world. Preparations for his first Paralympic Games are also going well. Russell won his first World Cup title in January and went on to win four medals at the Para World Cup in March.
Track cycling is history for Russell, who finished 12th in Friday’s 1000m race. But there are still two opportunities for precious metals in the market. “Anything is possible. It will be a completely different game, I have time to rest now and we will be fully prepared when we start,” Russell said looking ahead. The individual time trial is on Wednesday and the road race is on Friday.
Russell is embarking on a massive four-game program in Paris. Even at a young age, he was considered an all-around athlete, including in other sports. He is interested in gymnastics and dance and also plays football with his brother. “My dad said I should go to football practice because I don’t have a disability,” Russell said.
But he wasn’t really happy; over the years, he discovered that he had a passion for two wheels. “For me, cycling is freedom.” He also showed this enthusiasm on his Paralympic debut, although he still needs to wait for his first medal.
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