Jessica Lewis Reflects On Paris Experience
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Para-athlete Jessica Lewis has reflected on her “unique experience” of representing Bermuda at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Lewis, the island’s most decorated para-athlete, finished fifth in the T53 100 metres and seventh in the T53 400 at the iconic Stade de France last week.
The 31-year-old was joined in Paris by boccia player Yushae DeSilva-Andrade, who narrowly missed out on a medal after placing fourth in the women’s BC1 division.
“What an experience,” Lewis wrote on social media yesterday [September 8]. “There’s so much I can say as I process these games and my season as a whole.
“I’ve had the most amazing journey to getting here. It has been filled with highs, lows, a bunch of big changes and the most incredible people that have led me to become a better athlete each day.”
Lewis emphasised how fortunate she feels to have a passion that drives her and expressed pride in her journey to becoming a four-time Paralympian.
“This time around in Paris I had the most unique experience of truly feeling calm, having an undeniable belief in the work I, and an amazing group of people, have put in and the sense that I earned my place among an incredibly strong and fierce group of women,” she said.
Reflecting on the culmination of her races, Lewis described an emotional moment as she took a lap around the Stade de France.
“As I took my lap after my last race in the Stade de France and looked around at the thousands of people there supporting me, I had an overwhelming wave of appreciation and a feeling of pride in knowing I did everything I could to get to that start line and execute the races I did,” said Lewis, who trains under Canadian coach Geoff Harris in Victoria, British Columbia.
“While I experienced the many different emotions that came with not meeting some of the expectations, I had on myself, and others had on me, I got to do what I love on the world stage for a fourth time with Bermuda on my back and that is pretty special!”
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