Aussie cancer survivor bags Olympic medal
Australian cyclist Matthew Glaetzer has won his first ever medal at his fourth and final Olympic games.
After overcoming injury, heartbreak and even thyroid cancer, the 31-year-old, dubbed by many as cycling's unluckiest man, has finally won a bronze medal.
Two years before the Tokyo Olympics, the athlete received a thyroid cancer diagnosis, surgery and treatment.
He was then hit by a series of injuries including a torn calf, oblique complaint and bulging disc in his back, but that didn't stop him from competing in Tokyo.
While he didn't win any medals, he refused to let a career of near-misses define him and finally achieved bronze in the team sprint alongside Leigh Hoffman and Matt Richardson this year.
“It was elation — I was so pumped when I saw that ‘three’ ... on the scoreboard,” Glaetzer said after the race.
“It’s very special to finally win an Olympic medal. We were definitely aiming for better — we felt like we could have been in the gold (ride-off).”
In the lead-up to the Games, he said that his wife Nikki helped ensure he did not make a rash decision after Tokyo.
“I wouldn’t be here without her — I was actually pretty close to giving the sport away after Tokyo,” he said.
“For us to be a team together and figure out we have some unfinished business, to push to Paris, has been a feat.
“I’m pretty proud to be here.”
Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com/ Shutterstock Editorial