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U.S. Paralympics Cycling Roundup

by Alex Abrams

Shawn Morelli competes in track cycling at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. 

 

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!

Tennis Star Selects Oksana Masters For Daily Telegraph Interview

Tennis star Naomi Osaka handpicked Oksana Masters to be the subject of an interview in the Daily Telegraph, the popular British newspaper.

Masters, a four-time Paralympian and eight-time medalist in four sports, has been open about the trauma she experienced while being raised in orphanages in Ukraine.

Masters showed on social media her excitement about being included alongside other female athletes in Osaka’s “takeover” at the Daily Telegraph. Osaka is a three-time Grand Slam champion who’s currently ranked No. 3 in the world.

Masters shared her interview on Twitter and commented, “I am ABSOLUTELY speechless. Someone please pinch me because this feels like a dream. … Am I in heaven right now?”

Clara Brown Celebrates Anniversary of World Championship

While the racing world tries to get back to normal, Clara Brown took a moment to remember what she was doing this time last year.

She was celebrating winning her first world title at the 2020 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Milton, Ontario.

Brown posted a photo of herself wearing a rainbow jersey and signing an autograph on Instagram to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of her earning her first world championship.

“I will never forget the feeling of wearing the rainbow jersey for the first time and all of the effort that went into that moment,” Brown wrote. “I have been hard at work ever since and can’t wait for another opportunity to race again and go for more stripes.”

Shawn Morelli Rides For Cancer Fundraiser

Two-time Paralympic gold medalist Shawn Morelli recently spent six hours riding a stationary bike for a good cause.

Morelli took part in the Santa Fe Trails Cancerthon in Kansas to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Her niece joined her during the fundraiser and rode alongside her on a smaller stationary bike.

Sam Bosco Mentors Children Through Classroom Champions

Two-time Paralympic bronze medalist Sam Bosco has served as a mentor to children through the Classroom Champions program for the past two years.

Bosco is working with five classes from second grade through sixth grade this year. One of her first topics: How to receive feedback and how to give it in a constructive way.

“It’s almost as rewarding as winning a bike race for me,” Bosco told USParaCycling.org about being a mentor. “When I see a kid’s eyes light up and you know they got it, it’s a proud moment. I want them to have success and bring big smiles to their faces.”

<Link: https://www.teamusa.org/USParaCycling/Features/2021/January/17/How-Sam-Bosco-Went-From-A-Cycling-Champion-To-A-Classroom-Champion>

Paralympic Medals Feature Braille Writing

Para cyclists will find a new feature on the medals they earn at the Tokyo Paralympics.

The medals, made from recycled electronic devises, will have “Tokyo 2020” written on them in braille.

According to the Twitter account for NBC’s coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics, “For the first time in Paralympic history, a series of circular indentations are featured on the side of each medal, allowing athletes to recognize them by touch.”

<Embed: https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/1356324982373179393>

Alex Abrams

Alex Abrams has written about Olympic sports for more than 15 years, including as a reporter for major newspapers in Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma. He is a freelance contributor to USParaCycling.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.