World record, tumble make NZ rider limelight at cycling

Source: Xinhua | 09-08-2008 21:55

By sportswriters Tan Jingjing, Huang Jie

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand cyclist Paula Tesoriero tumbled heavily to the track after setting a world record at the Laoshan Velodrome, but strongly came back on the top podium to receive the first-ever Paralympic gold for her country.

Paula Tesoriero of New Zealand competes in the Women's  500m Time Trial(LC3-4/CP3) final of the Beijing 2008  Paralympic Games cycling track event on Sept. 8, 2008.  Tesoriero broke the world record and claimed the title  of the event with a time of 43.281 secs.(Xinhua Photo)

In the women's 500m time trial (LC3-4/CP 3) Monday morning, Tesoriero was speeding all the way to pursue her personal best. To the roars of thousands of spectators, she rushed across the terminal, setting a new world record at 43.281 seconds and winning the historical gold for New Zealand.

When she finished her race and rode slowly across the corner, she abruptly went airborne, fell, then laid on the ground in pain, glassy-eyed and jaw bleeding. Hush fell over the cheerful crowd, who stunned to see her unmovable.

Her coach and medical assistants ran into the lane, lying her on the stretcher right away. The great pain even made the 33-year-old unable to speak, her chin and hands shaking uncontrollably.

Her mother, who watched her competition at the tribune and was about to hand over a national flag to her beloved, was shocked at the accident and kept wiping her tears.

At that very moment, the screen announced Tesoriero's new world record and gold. To the bravos of the whole stadium, the New Zealander looked at the screen and burst into tears. She struggled to stand up with the support of two team officials, waving her arms to the crowd who was encouraging her.

"It really hurts, but happiness of success makes me feel much better, and even let me forget the pain," said a smiling Tesoriero.