George Peasgood, the double Paralympic medallist in triathlon and cycling – and time trial World Champion – made another hugely significant step forward on Sunday – just over three years on from a freak accident which nearly killed him.
On October 1 2022 when launching one final sprint at the end of a training ride, he was catapulted over his handlebars when his cleat slipped out of his pedal.
That left him in a deep coma, later being diagnosed with a grade 3 diffuse axonal injury, a brain injury so severe that as George himself would later say: “9/10 people don’t wake up after six weeks from a coma after sustaining my injury… I woke up after seven…”
With help and hard work – check out this short film to gain a better understanding – he has continued to make an incredible recovery since then, so much so that he was back in World Triathlon Para Cup race action for the first time since at the weekend.
WHEN not IF
His strength of will has been evident throughout and as he himself said on Instagram before his race return, which came in Turkey: “I won’t lie, I’m not surprised really…
“I knew I would be back on the blue carpet. It was never a case of ‘IF’ it would happen, more ‘WHEN’.
“I am so grateful to those that helped along the way. Especially to those that stuck by my side and believed in me as much as I did. 🥰 Family, friends, sponsors, to all of you. Thank you! This is for you!! #nevergiveup #foryou
“The race is ‘World Triathlon Para Cup Alanya’, and it was in Alanya that was my first Para International Triathlon race back in 2013 as the European Champs!! I will be racing in the PTS3 category 💯 (used to be a PTS5 but in the old classification system, Tri-5).”
‘I actually did it!’
George crossed the line in seventh place on Sunday, with a broad smile on his face as high-fived his way down the blue carpet.
He later wrote on Instagram: “The first race I’ve been happy to get a participation medal 😅
“I actually did it!!
“No idea on finish position but no medal for me but I wasn’t aiming for one. Would have been nice but not at all disappointed with that.
“Thanks to all for the messages and the support on//off the course 🥰
Really means a hell of a lot, so THANK YOU 🙌🏼 “
It’s inspiring to see him competing again and you can follow him here on Instagram to keep track of further progress.
Are we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
