Roundup: Samantha Bosco’s Parapan Ams Crash Provides A Lesson — And A Medal

Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para-cycling. Here’s what you missed!

Finding Speed in Santiago

Samantha Bosco, a 2016 Paralympian who has won four world titles the last two years, made her first trip to Santiago, Chile, last month for the 2023 American Parapan Games. Among her three medals was a bronze medal in a race in which she fought her way back to a podium position after crashing.

“Thank you, Santiago, for teaching me new lessons in and out of competition; showing me more speed and personal bests; and giving me the gift of knowing I can crash and not only get back up a little quicker with less injury but that I can race my bike to and through the finish line with injuries (even with one less working shifter),” she posted on Instagram.

Racing and Sightseeing

Two-time Paralympian Jamie Whitmore, who also won three medals at the Parapan Am Games, didn’t leave Chile without getting some sightseeing in.

“Valparaiso was the perfect place to spend our last day in Chile!!” she wrote on Instagram. “So much street art and color. The kids had a blast playing around in the old streets created for water to run down during floods! The streets were as hilly as San Francisco and the colors reminded me of Colombia! What a neat place along the coast! We finally found proper coffee shops and the food was awesome!”

And there was a side trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

And for more from Whitmore, check out this interview she did with Team USA prior to the Parapan Ams.

Memorable Parapan Am Road

Kate Brim’s first trip to the Parapan Am Games produced some memorable moments for the handcyclist.

“#santiago2023 has come to a close and man is my heart full!” Brim posted on Instagram. “This being my first time getting to experience a game’s environment went exceptionally well! Getting the opportunity to race in a mixed field for the same medals was the ultimate test for myself. I started my paracycling career only being able to compare myself to those in higher classes because of being the only WH2 in the US at the time. Yes it’s very hard feeling alone in that sense but I strongly believe it has gotten me to where I am today. Thank you to everyone who has given me so much support!”

Go here for the photos:

And More Photos …

Here’s a look at additional Parapan Am Games images, courtesy of the U.S Paralympics Cycling team’s account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Day at the Museum

John Terrell, a two-time world championships medalist who is hoping to compete in his first Paralympic Games next year in Paris, was featured in a meet-and-greet two days after Thanksgiving at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“Had the incredible opportunity to share my journey as a Paralympic hopeful at the @usopmuseum during Thanksgiving weekend,” he posted on Instagram. “Let’s inspire each other – not just through sports history but also by embracing the joy of cycling with friends. Get on your bikes and create unforgettable moments together!”

Persons with Disabilities Day

International Day of Persons with Disabilities was Dec. 3, and that was an important day for many Paralympians.

From @Paralympics: “To celebrate this date, we selected some of the most searched questions about disability and asked Para athletes to answer them.”

Gold-Medal Moment

Here’s a gold-medal moment from the UCI Cycling World Championships earlier this year in Scotland. An Oksana Masters victory, rebooted.

From @UCI_paracycling: “What an exciting finish that was at the WH5 road race, with Oksana Masters claiming victory in a nail-biting sprint finish at the 2023 UCI @cyclingWorlds.”

Relaxing at Dana Point

Two-time Paralympian Shawn Morelli headed for Dana Point, California, for a magical recent ride.

“Can’t get much nicer for destination for a recovery ride,” Morelli posted on Instagram.

Walker Finds Coach in Murphy

Katie Walker, a track cyclist who made her Parapan American Games debut in November in Santiago, turned to a well-known Paralympian for coaching help earlier this year. Chris Murphy, a two-time Paralympian, began coaching Walker after he retired from competitive cycling following the UCI Cycling World Championships.

“We are working really well together,” Walker told USParaCycling.org. “I’m out here in Colorado Springs. I have a lot of support. It makes it easier to progress. Right now, I’d say I’m in a good place to do really well.”

Walker nearly made the podium in her Parapan Am debut, finishing fourth in the women’s 500-meter time trial C1-5.

Read more about her cycling journey here.

Paul D. Bowker has been writing about Olympic and Paralympic sports since 1996, when he was an assistant bureau chief in Atlanta. He is a freelance contributor to USParaCycling.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.