Paris 2024 marks a decade since Cox was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the last year has been perhaps her roughest yet, racked with relapses and plagued with injuries.
It all culminated in a cruel crash on the first turn of the 500m time trial, an event in which the 33-year-old was meant to win ParalympicsGB’s first medal of the Games and retain her title.
“The fact that I got here was amazing in itself,” said Cox, who posted the second-quickest time in qualifying. “I’m just gutted that I was able to ride a ride that was pretty great in the first round and then not go out there and show what I’m capable of.”
Cox only got back on the bike two weeks ago after a calf tear and was in a protective boot less than a month ago.
This time last year, she couldn’t walk after a serious relapse of MS affected her right side and it was weakness in that part of her body that proved her undoing in the final.
The world record holder looked strong in qualification but slipped out of the start gate at the start of the final.
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Denne historien er fra August 30, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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