Lauren Steadman and Claire Cashmore first met 18 years ago, and their lives and careers have been entwined ever since - they will face off for Paralympic gold in Paris.
: Grace Norman, Lauren Steadman and Claire Cashmore were on the podium in the women's PTS5 triathlon at Tokyo 2020Lauren Steadman and Claire Cashmore first met 18 years ago, and their lives and careers have been entwined ever since.
"She is like a big sister to me," Steadman told BBC Sport. "I met her when I was 13, and I said to my dad: 'I want to be Claire Cashmore.' Along with Cashmore and Steadman, Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmers Hannah Russell and Michael Jones also attended the boarding school in Tavistock, as did British Olympians Sharron Davies, Andy Jameson and Robin Brew.
"I love racing against other people who are constantly pushing me to be better. It is what keeps me motivated, setting goals each day. If it was a walk in the park, I wouldn't have that same drive every day. I love to be pushed, see the other girls doing well and keep pushing boundaries.
“Lauren will always view Claire as that mentor, the first person who did that, 'I want to be like that too'. She is always more likely to be publicly open about someone she admires and likes. But after growing disillusioned with swimming, Cashmore chose to transition to triathlon, which had made its Paralympic debut in Rio, where Steadman won silver in the PT4 category.So, in front of zero spectators in the Japanese capital because of Covid, Steadman and Cashmore met on the Paralympic stage.In a dramatic race
Silver went to American Grace Norman, who completes the fascinating triangle of relationships in the PTS5 category. "When I was younger, Grace was a threat. But now we are older, I have learned to have respect for the people I race with. I want everyone to bring their A-game. I always say to her before a race, 'good luck', but in the race we fly the flag for our country."
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