ALISON Patrick is a reigning world champion but a natural pessimism meant she hasn’t dared to dream that in just a few weeks time, she could be a Paralympic gold medallist. The 29 year-old visually impaired para-triathlete from Dunfermline has had a flawless year.
As well as winning the world title, she became European champion and won gold at the World Para-triathlon event in Buffalo City, New York.
Yet her successful record had not calmed all of her anxieties about making her Paralympic debut in Rio next month.
“It’s getting very close now which is exciting but it’s also nerve-wracking,” Patrick said. “It feels like a dream that I’m going to the Paralympics and the fact that para-triathlon is making its debut is great – it’s exciting to be part of that. The race will be on Copacabana Beach which will be just amazing.”
Elite athletes have it drilled into them that they must focus on their performance rather than the outcome, but for many, this is easier said than done. With Patrick, though, her natural tendency is to block any thoughts of winning out of her head, despite the fact that she will travel to Rio as one of the favourites to take gold. “I like to approach races with the mindset of getting the processes right and having a good race rather than think about winning,” she said. “I’m a pessimist so I never believe I’m going to win until it actually happens. I visualise myself racing well, but I never want to think about winning because then I’d be so disappointed if it didn’t happen.
“That’s what’s worked for me in the past so I’ll keep doing that.”
Patrick has albinism and was born completely blind. She gained some sight but when she was seven, the improvements stopped. She is very sensitive to light and struggles to judge depth and perception, so competes with a guide, Hazel Smith.
Patrick admitted that getting used to relying on someone so completely was a real learning experience. “When I started racing, I felt like having to rely on my guide took away from my independence,” she said. “My parents brought me up to just get on with it so I’ve always been pretty independent. I need to have a lot of trust in Hazel, that’s the biggest thing.
“When I’m swimming, I can’t see well in sunlight. I struggle to see her even when she’s right next to me, so I had to get used to having her really close. It has been a challenge but it’s much better being part of a team and sharing it with someone. Now, I enjoy the fact we can work together and get good results together.”
Patrick was a successful middle-distance runner in her youth. She even had a chance of making Team GB for the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, but persistent Achilles issues forced her to give the sport up. She was studying to become a physiotherapist and that became her priority, but, in 2012, Patrick moved to Scotland and took up para-triathlon “for fun” in the hope of meeting some new people. Never did she imagine that four years later, she would be heading to the Paralympics as a medal favourite.
While she holds the world No 1 ranking, the fact she is relatively new to the sport means there is still plenty of scope for improvement. “The swim is where there are the most gains to be had for me.” Patrick said. “It’s exciting to know that I can be much better than I am now. I feel I’ve improved over the past year – I’m faster, and technically I’m also better. The way Hazel and I work as a pair is also better.”
These are exciting times for para-triathlon. It is growing fast and its Paralympic debut is likely to do wonders for its profile. It will also make its Commonwealth Games debut in 2018 but, unfortunately for Patrick, her class is not included.
However, she said: “I think I might try to make the cycling team for Gold Coast. I did a lot of track cycling over the winter to help my bike-handling skills and loved it. Even if I didn’t make it, it would only help me improve as an athlete.”
That is a decision to be made at a later date, though. Patrick’s focus over the next few weeks will be solely on Copacabana Beach and having the best race that she possibly can. And if she achieves that, a gold medal is well within her reach.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here