Paralympic gold medallist Lauren Parker spent years chasing her biggest rival in the para-triathlon, American Kendall Gretsch. After coming second to Gretsch in Tokyo, Parker finally beat her to gold at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympic Games.
But that’s not enough for Parker. Instead, the 37-year-old is attempting to beat Gretsch at her winter game: the para-biathlon, a mix of cross-country skiing and target shooting. Just seven months after skiing for the first time, Parker was named in the Australian team on Thursday and will take on Gretsch at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Games.
Lauren Parker with her gold medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympic Games.Credit: Getty Images
For years, Parker and Gretsch fought to be the world’s best in the triathlon, but Gretsch has long dominated the biathlon at the Winter Games. She has two gold medals, a silver and bronze from Pyeongchang in 2018 and Beijing in 2022, and a gold in cross-country skiing and became the first American to medal in a biathlon event in either the Olympic or Paralympics.
But despite their rivalry in the para-triathlon, it was Gretsch who suggested Parker take up her best winter event, the para-biathlon.
“She’s been an amazing support,” Parker said. “Like she’s excited that I’ve come across to the sport because they’re always wanting new athletes in snow sports, and she’s helped me on the snow quite a bit. So, we’ve got a good friendship outside of racing.
“Maybe in four years time she’ll be regretting that she started my journey in snow. Maybe in four years time I’ll be up to medal contention.”
Parker was named as one of five Australians in the para-biathlon team on Thursday after Australia successfully petitioned for two additional spots for bipartite athletes from the International Paralympic Committee. It’s the first time in 20 years that Australians will compete in the event at the Games. Bipartite athletes are those invited to compete to ensure representation from countries with fewer competitors.
Joining Parker are Matt Brumby, Dave Miln, Taryn Dickens and her guide Lynn Maree Cullen. All of them have also qualified for the para-cross-country team.
Lynn Maree Cullen and Taryn Dickens have been named in the 2026 Winter Paralympics team.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
Parker is the second summer Paralympian announced in the 2026 winter team after para-cyclist Amanda Reid.
“You don’t just have to do one sport,” Parker said. “If it’s possible and you put your mind to it and you’ve got that goal in another sport than why not do it?”
“I have had a lot of people doubt me, like I had a lot of people doubt that I would get gold in Paris. And I had some doubters that I couldn’t do winter sports so quickly. So, I just like to prove to myself but to prove to everyone that if you really work hard at something, you can do multiple sports and excel.”
The Winter Paralympics start on March 6.
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