3 months ago
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Three-time Paralympic medallist Lauren Steadman says she expects this year’s summer games in Paris to be her last.
The Tokyo Paralympic champion, who has suffered from long Covid, took a two-year break from triathlon after winning gold three years ago.
“I do think that this was my last summer games, what it took for me mentally to get here... I’ve had a very similar journey to Adam Peaty. I could have done more, you can always do more as an athlete, but I did what I could with my current state of mind," Steadman told BBC Radio Manchester.
“I think it’s a good time to bow out when you’re actually happy and have enjoyed something, so I love triathlon, I love riding my bike, but perhaps not to the performance standard that I’m normally at.”
Peterborough-born Steadman made her Paralympic debut in 2008 as a Para-swimmer in Beijing and transitioned to Para-triathlon in 2016.
She won Para-triathlon bronze on Monday at the Paris Games.
“The thing is as athletes we’re so tunnel-vision focused, I didn’t prepare myself for what I’d feel like after. I wasn’t sure if I was going to return, from a mental perspective I found it really hard to navigate," she said.
“You have to be realistic, I had to be smarter. Hand on heart, didn’t think I’d be able to bring home a medal, I did my best with the circumstances.
“It was very odd going into a race knowing I was only at 70% of my capacity because I’m still not very well.
“I’ve really learned from the last three years more about who I am away from the sport.
“You have to dedicate everything to being the best version of yourself once every four years.”
The 31-year-old will now continue her PhD into looking at the mental health of athletes which she started during her break from the sport at the University of Portsmouth.
“I’m getting to the point where I’d really like to find someone, I’d really like a family. Simple things that other people have, that when you’re an athlete they are not so easy," she said.
Steadman, who appeared on BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, also has hopes to qualify for the 2026 Milan Winter Paralympic Games in cross-country skiing.
