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Parkin leads SA deaf cyclists
13/06/2006 11:27 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Olympic swimming silver medalist Terence Parkin is a surprise selection in the South African Deaf Cycling team that is taking part in the World Championships in San Francisco next week.
Parkin, better known for his extraordinary swimming achievements, has taken up cycling in recent years and will lead a five-member team to the United States.
According to team manager George Cornelissen, the 2000 Olympic breaststroke silver medalist, has been complementing his swimming training with an intensive cycling workout. He also said that Parkin's cycling exploits were a big surprise to him.
"Terence begins swimming training at 3am, then at 7am he hits the road and cycles 200km a day. I wasn't even aware that he was cycling until he came to the trials."
Besides for his silver medal in Sydney, Parkin won gold at the Goodwill Games in 2001 and silver at the Commonwealth Games in 2002, all able-bodied events. He also set a new standard at the Melbourne 2005 Deaflympics, becoming the most successful competitor in the history of the Games by winning 12 gold medals and one silver.
The other members of the team are Johan Reyneke a promising cyclist from Worcester, who is a specialist mountain biker, Enrikus Koekemoer a talented track rider from Tygerberg, Juan Duvenage, an all-rounder with great potential and Ashley Abrahams a young up-and-coming track rider.
- SAPA
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