To think that when he hits the starting line at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Elouan Gardon will have only been in the sport of Para-cycling for about a year.

Not that he was new to cycling, far from it.

The 18-year-old from Acme, Washington — about a half-hour from the Canadian border — has competed for years against able-bodied athletes.

But it was September 2023 when Gardon attended a U.S. Para-cycling talent identification camp.

“I just wanted to see it,” Gardon said. “I knew it’s something different, and I just wanted to try it out.”

Now, he will represent Team USA at the Paris Paralympics in the MC5 classification of road racing. The Paralympics take place Aug. 28-Sept. 8.

“I don’t have words for it,” Gardon said. “I’m very excited to go to Paris and represent such a great country and team.”

While he has a lack of experience in Para-cycling and international competition, Gardon easily punched his ticket to Paris in early July at the PossAbilities U.S. Paralympics Cycling Time Trial in Loma Linda, California. The teenager zipped through the course in 38 minutes, 14.92 seconds, averaging 28.5 mph.

Coming into Loma Linda, the final qualifying event, Gardon thought the course might be favorable to him.

“But still, it’s a surreal feeling to be selected,” he said.

While Gardon more than held his own against able-bodied athletes, he is finding his niche in Para-cycling.

“The people are amazing,” Gardon said. “There’s just so many incredible, incredible people here. It’s very inspirational.”

At just 18 years old, and the youngest member of the U.S. cycling team for Paris, Gardon has found his happy place on the bike.

“I love everything about it,” Gardon said. “I love training for it, the dedication it takes and the hours you can spend on the bike, the places you can visit, the people. ... I got all sorts of feelings — joy, happiness, relaxation.”

That is not to say he doesn’t have a feistiness when it comes to competitions.

“Oh, definitely,” Gardon said. “I’ve enjoyed racing on the able-bodied side and the Para side of the sport. I love to get to the highest level and race in Paris.”

Road racing hasn’t been the only thing to satiate Gardon’s competitive side. He also has played hockey and has experience downhill mountain biking and gravel cycling.

The solitude of being on a bike is also something that Gardon enjoys. It also doesn’t hurt that he lives in such a picturesque part of the country.

“I really like just being by myself,” Gardon said. “I love cycling and hiking. I’m lucky to be in the (Pacific Northwest), which has just such great wilderness around me that I can explore. It’s beautiful out there.”

Gardon kept a clear head at the qualifying time trials. Even though he knew Paris was a distinct possibility, based on his ranking points coming in, he kept his thoughts on the task at hand. Anything above his performance would take care of itself.

“I just didn’t want to hope for something that wouldn’t happen,” he said.

Much like this trip to Paris, Gardon hasn’t quite figured out what comes next for himself after the Paralympics. He just finished junior college and hasn’t chosen where he goes next for his education.

As he ramps up for Paris, Gardon will often ride 60 to 100 miles a day. He listens to podcasts or music — classic rock or newer dance hits — to keep his mind occupied as he takes in the scenery. He has thought about Paralympic success, but with his very brief time in Para-cycling, he isn’t sure what to fully expect in Paris.

“I’m not really sure,” Gardon said. “I’m pretty excited to see so many people, such a great crowd. Try to go for a medal.”

Not bad for someone who just a year ago knew little to nothing about Para-cycling. What would the Gardon of a year ago thought about where he is now?

“A little disbelief,” Gardon said. “I never thought I’d be in the Paralympic Games, especially this early in my career. I never even heard of Para-cycling really that much. It’s just such an honor to represent this country.”

It also made the phone call he received telling him he was on Team USA all the more special.

“I don’t really have words for it,” Gardon said. “It was just pretty incredible. And it’s still sinking in right now.”

Steve Drumwright is a journalist based in Murrieta, California. He is a freelance contributor to USParaCycling.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Washington Teen Elouan Gardon Is On His Way To Paris In His First Year Of Para-Cycling

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