Lauren Steadman, a Paralympian from Sawtry, believes her Paris bronze is as special as her Tokyo gold as the triathlete completed the triathlon set. 

The 32-year-old finished behind Rio champion Grace Norman and teammate Claire Cashmore to claim her third Paralympic medal. 

She has had a turbulent time since Tokyo, taking time away from the sport to focus on her mental health before suffering with long Covid earlier this year. 

"It spoke for itself on the line, I love my gold medal from Tokyo but that took everything I had in the last three years to get back on that start line today," said Steadman, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme.

The programme allows them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

Lauren said: "That bronze medal is just as special to me. 

"I didn’t know if I’d get here 18 months ago, I wasn’t in a good place mentally and Covid got me this year, I was thinking ‘2024 can’t get any worse’"

“One of the notes I wrote to myself last night was to embrace everything about being a Paralympian, to be proud and know a medal doesn’t define who I am.” 

Part of Steadman’s time away from triathlon has been to discover who she is away from the sport. 

"I feel like Lauren 2.0 is coming, I’m not entirely sure my sports career is over just yet, I do very much love racing but I just need to be gentle with myself."

Steadman has competed on Strictly Come Dancing and SAS Who Dares Wins but her next challenge may be her most surprising one yet. 

She is attempting to become the first British woman to qualify in standing cross-country skiing with just 18 months to go until the next Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. 

"I have got 18 months and it is strange for me," she said.

“I’d be the first standing female that ParalympicsGB has had, it won’t be easy but like today I will give it everything I have.”