Triathlete Stefan Daniel was two-thirds of the way through his first dash for Olympic glory in Rio de Janeiro last month when he realized he might not make the podium.
Triathlete Stefan Daniel was two-thirds of the way through his first dash for Olympic glory in Rio de Janeiro last month when he realized he might not make the podium.
“I just kind of broke it up (and told myself), ‘Let's just get a medal here,' ” the 19-year-old para-athlete remembered thinking as he finished his 20-kilometre bike ride and faced a five-kilometre run to the finish line. “I trained too hard for this. ”
That final foot race was as impressive as it often has been in Daniel's athletic career, and after starting that last leg in fourth place - he pushed past his competitors to earn the coveted silver medal.
“The crowd really carried me through, ” the proud and humble teen recalled.
Daniel grew up in Bearspaw and spent his formative years running for the St. Timothy Jr./Sr. High School track team in Cochrane.
This week, on the heels of Daniel's Paralympic win, the town honoured him for his contributions to sport and his role as positive role model and community ambassador.
“The pride this community feels … is immeasurable, ” said Mayor Ivan Brooker before handing Daniel a certificate and posing for photographs at Tuesday night's town council meeting.
“Without Cochrane, ” the athlete told the crowd, “I wouldn't be where I am today. ”
Daniel was born with bilateral radial club hands and is no stranger to the podium, earning a gold medal at the 2015 para-triathlon world championships - and winning nationals in junior triathlon on the able-bodied side the same year. Those recent accolades are just a few in a long line of awards and distinctions for the skilled competitor.
Coach Travis Cummings remembers Daniel's talent shining through, cleaning up in competitions as a young student at St. Tim's.
“It's kind of where he got his start, ” said Cummings. “He's always been good, he's always worked hard. He's always been a winner. ”
Daniels also logged countless hours in the Big Hill Leisure Pool, and he's excited the new aquatic facility being built at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre will give kids an opportunity to train at an elite level closer to home.
“I think the sport's going to grow a lot, ” he said.
Now that he's back from Rio, the 19-year-old already has the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games in his sights, but for now, he's training on the track with the University of Calgary Dinos while taking a well-earned break from his business studies.
Daniel's family is proud he has accomplished so much at just 19 years old, and mom Sue said she knows both the world stage - and Cochrane - has not seen the last of their spirited son.
“There's just such a vibrant community here. ”
