History made. Iconic
Sarah Storey had made history with a 17th paralympic gold medal, making her the most decorated paralympian in British history.
On Tuesday Storey acquired her 16th gold medal in the C5 time trial at Tokyo, equaling the record held by Mike Kenny and igniting interest in whether she would ride her way into the record books.
And on Thursday she did exactly that when she defended her defending her 2012 title in the C4-5 road race.
Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, it was clear Storey was already blown away with her medal haul.
“Sweet 16. Can I be 16 again? As I said the other day, I would never have imagined getting to 15.”
“I am just so chuffed. I have been preparing for this for such a long time. There have been so many parts to it, both my bike and physical preparations.”
The greatest.🥇
Two sports.
17 Paralympic titles.
Our most successful ever.@DameSarahStorey #ImpossibleToIgnore pic.twitter.com/INgyEjH3UR— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) September 2, 2021
Now, as the most decorated Paralympian in history, Storey is understandably ‘overwhelmed’.
‘I’ve worked for this for such a long time’
Dame Sarah Storey tells #BBCBreakfast becoming Great Britain’s most successful ever Paralympian still hasn’t sunk in. https://t.co/BPR9sXoq3t pic.twitter.com/lQBR4Gc8NA
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) September 2, 2021
“I’m a bit overwhelmed, I feel like it’s happening to someone else,” Storey told Channel 4.
“I can’t really explain or compute anything about the race, but crossing the line first felt so good.”
"There are athlethes at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo because they've been inspired by her."
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston says Dame Sarah Storey is inspiring the next generation after she became Britain's most successful Paralympian. pic.twitter.com/O5TO61pZTX
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 2, 2021
Storey’s landmark gold was her third of Tokyo 2020. This is her eighth games since making a splash in Barcelona 1992 as a 14-year-old swimmer.
Storey now has an incredible 28 medals in total and has not won anything except gold since making her cycling Paralympic debut at Beijing 2008.
Similarly to the C5 time trial, the Silver medal was awarded to fellow GB Paralympian Crystal Lane-Wright who finished seven seconds behind Storey.
"Her attention to detail is incredible."
Paralympic silver medallist Crystal Lane-Wright pays tribute to Dame Sarah Storey who secured a record 17th Paralympic gold medal in Tokyo on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/ENcIbsU0Yd
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 2, 2021
Storey punched the air in celebration as she crossed the line in two hours, 21 minutes and 51 seconds.
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