Tears flow as Aussie gold medallist details ‘crazy, horrible’ battle

It was the one result that would make the hardships of the past eight weeks all worth it for Emily Petricola.
The Aussie track cyclist successfully defended her Paralympic title in the women’s C4 3000m individual pursuit, clinching gold in a clash with New Zealand’s Anna Taylor.
A world record time during the Aussie’s qualifying race seemed nearly out of the question leading into Paris, given she had experienced many gruelling flare-ups in her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable neurological condition.
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“I can’t believe it, honestly, I can’t speak,” Petricola told Nine, fighting off tears.
“I’m not shocked [by the feat] because I’ve worked so hard, but it’s been such a hard eight weeks. These three years have been really, really hard. My body has been fighting me really hard.
“It’s been a crazy, horrible period, but this makes it worth it.”
At age 27, Petricola was diagnosed with MS following the sudden onset of numbness throughout her lower body.
However, the various medical obstacles have yet to prevent the now 44-year-old from achieving her dreams, with her success in Paris attributed to the ongoing support of her team.
“I’m just so grateful that I got the result for the people who have worked with me,” she said.
“I’ve been in an MS flare-up for the last eight weeks and I literally could only get on the bike because of the medical support I’ve received whilst being away.
“I’m not the same person that I was when I was 27 and healthy … I was so unsure of myself [coming into Paris].”
Emily Petricola sheds tears after winning Paralympic gold in Paris. Michael Steele/Getty Images
The Paralympic champion described her race as “better than expected” and said she was thrilled that some of her family and friends were watching at the velodrome.
“She’s sat with me in the neurology office and seen me at my lowest of lows,” Petricola said of her best friend.
“I’m just so glad she gets to see me on a day like today.
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“I’ve had to go through so many crap times but I’ve learnt that you can overcome almost anything.
“You come to an event like this and see people who are far more disabled than I am, doing what they are able to do.
“You’ve got no excuse to try; that’s what I kept telling myself over these last eight weeks. You’ve just got to try and trust the people around you.”
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