British track cyclist Jody Cundy is gearing up for his eighth Paralympic Games in Paris, aiming to add to his already impressive medal haul. The Wisbech-born athlete, who first graced the Paralympic stage at the Atlanta Games in 1996 as a swimmer, now boasts a remarkable seven gold medals in cycling and is confident of adding to his collection.
A bold "8" emblazoned on his racing prosthetic leg serves as a powerful reminder of his eight Paralympic Games appearances. The number is also adorned with wings, inspired by the video game "The Legend of Zelda," a nod to Cundy's love for the game and its "Pegasus boots" that grant the character speed.
Cundy, who joined the British cycling team in 2006, is benefitting from a new bike, inherited from Team GB's Olympic cyclists, and cutting-edge training equipment, including access to the Great Britain Cycling Team's new wind tunnel facility in Manchester.
The 45-year-old acknowledges the critical role of National Lottery funding in his journey. "Every rider has been in the tunnel to optimise their position," he said. "It takes a lot of discipline to hold that position as you're riding around the track."
In Paris, Cundy will compete in the men's C4-5 1000m time trial, a race where he secured gold at Rio 2016 and silver at Tokyo 2020. He anticipates tough competition, particularly from teammate Blaine Hunt, reigning champion Alfonso Cabello from Spain, and home favourite Dorian Foulon.
Despite the challenging field, Cundy remains optimistic. "I'm feeling pretty confident," he said. "I had a really good block of training in the last six months and a lot of it has come together. This is probably going to be the best one-kilometre chart I've been involved in."
Adding another string to his bow, Cundy also participated in the British TV show "Strictly Come Dancing" last year, an experience he believes has strengthened his cycling performance. "It was intense," he said. "There were bits from the dance that actually transferred over, mainly in the gym, with balance and coordination. I came back to the gym and I was stronger, even though I'd not lifted for a few weeks, from doing the dancing. I had more core stability. That was a real nice gain."
As Cundy prepares to chase gold in Paris, he embodies the spirit of dedication and resilience that defines the Paralympic Games. His journey, supported by National Lottery funding, serves as a testament to the power of hard work and determination in achieving sporting excellence.
