Austin Smeenk made it clear on the track Friday he’s ready to battle for a Paralympic gold medal later this summer.
The Oakville, Ont., resident crossed the finish line in a world record time of 48.38 seconds to win the men’s T34 400 metres at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwil, Switzerland.
Smeenk, 27, is no stranger to the record book, clocking one minute 38.10 seconds in T34 800 final at the World Para Athletics Championships last July in Paris.
That performance was 1.33 seconds faster than two months earlier when the two-time Paralympian lowered the Americas mark.
Smeenk, who has also competed in sailing and sledge hockey, was born with spastic paraplegia, a hereditary disease that causes progressive stiffness and contraction in the lower limbs.
He can walk short distances, ride a bicycle to go further distances and stand-up snowboard.
Smeenk established himself as a top medal contender for Paris with a silver performance in the T34 100 at worlds while placing fourth in the 800. He also set Canadian records in the 100, 400 and 800.
WATCH | IPC president wants all tickets for Paris sold before opening ceremony:
With 100 days to go before the 2024 Paralympics open in Paris, IPC president Andrew Parsons joined CBC Sports’ Scott Russell to talk about how these Games will be different from any before it.
