Chris Hammer on Monday found a way to put a positive spin on two previous fourth-place finishes in the Paralympics triathlon: He finally won gold in Paris.
The 38-year-old American forged a comeback victory in the PTS5 class after just missing the podium by one place at Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.
“If it wasn’t for those fourth places, I don’t think I would have been racing this time around,” he said in a clip shared by NBC afterward.
“Fourth is painful, and it’s not,” he elaborated, per World Triathlon. “It keeps you in the sport. It was all part of the journey that led me here. I will look back on those fourth places fondly now.”
Hammer, who was born without one hand, was in eighth place 90 seconds behind the lead when he exited the 750-meter swim portion in the Seine and closed to within 20 seconds of the lead on the 20-kilometer bike, the outlet reported. He then seized the lead in the 5-kilometer run with a 15 minute, 59-second split, according to Triathlete.com.
He broke the tape while draping himself in the American flag.
“It’s been quite an adventure, quite a journey,” he said.
Hammer’s time was 58 minutes, 44 seconds, finishing 17 seconds ahead of silver medalist Ronan Cordeiro of Brazil and 35 seconds ahead of bronze medalist Martin Schulz of Germany.
Here’s a longer look at Hammer’s triumph:
