Sarnya Parker Explained

Sarnya Parker
Fullname:Sarnya Marie Parker
Birth Date:1975 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Loxton, South Australia
Disability:Visual impairment
Sport:Para-cycling

Sarnya Marie Parker, OAM[1] (born 6 June 1975)[2] is an Australian visually impaired paralympic tandem cyclist. She was born in the South Australian town of Loxton.[2] Before she took up Paralympic tandem cycling, she was a nationally ranked top-ten pentathlete.[3] She won a gold medal in long jump at the 1999 FESPIC Games in Thailand.[2]

Eighteen months before the 2000 Sydney Games, visually impaired Paralympic tandem cyclist Kieran Modra convinced her to switch from athletics to cycling because of the limited opportunities in the former sport for Paralympians.[4] He introduced her to his sister, Tania Modra, despite Modra's lack of competitive cycling experience, and she became Parker's pilot.[3] She won two gold medals for Australia with Modra at the 2000 Sydney Games in the 1 km road race and 3000 m pursuit,[3] [5] for which she received a Medal of the Order of Australia;[1] the pair broke the world record in both events.[6] In 2000, she received an Australian Sports Medal.[7] In 2009, a walking trail on the riverfront of Loxton was named after her.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parker, Sarnya Marie, OAM. It's an Honour. 24 January 2012.
  2. Book: Media guide : 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. Australian Paralympic Committee. Sydney, Australia. 2000.
  3. News: Pedal pals in hot seat. The Advertiser. 17 October 2000. 70.
  4. News: Track switch yields victory. The Age. 21 October 2000. 19. Melissa. Ryan.
  5. Web site: Athlete Search Results. International Paralympic Committee. 2 October 2011.
  6. News: Another record as pair cut a golden swathe. The Age. 22 October 2000. 8. Melissa. Ryan.
  7. Web site: Parker, Sarnya: Australian Sports Medal. It's an Honour. 24 January 2012.
  8. Web site: Thousands expected at Loxton Show. ABC News. 2 October 2009. 24 January 2012.