News / Triathlon
University of Bristol student hopes to swim, cycle and run to Paralympic success
Michael Taylor is a student at the University of Bristol studying medicine.
But he is also an elite athlete, who on Saturday will be on the start line of the triathlon at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Taylor will hope to emulate the success of the Team GB Olympic triathlon team, who brought home one gold and two silver medals from Japan.
is needed now More than ever
The 25-year-old competes in the PTS4 category and trains with the British Triathlon Bath National Performance Centre squad at the Team Bath Sports Training Village for the past year.
He came relatively late to triathlon, becoming inspired to compete at the highest level after watching the Olympics in Rio shortly after having his leg amputated following an infection in his ankle.
“It was a goal I set myself in 2016 following my injury,” he said. “So it feels pretty incredible to be here. As a kid, I had always dreamed of competing internationally so to have qualified for the Games is amazing.”
He added: “It has given me huge confidence and a massive sense of achievement.
“I feel really lucky and fortunate because it’s been a real team effort and I couldn’t have done it without all the help I have received from the university and other organisations.
“The amount of support from friends and family has been also been incredible. It’s been lovely to feel so much love from everyone.
“Now I feel happy and strong again because I have reached some of the goals I set myself and feel like I have got back on track to where I wanted to be.”
Main photo: British Triathlon
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