Video: Jessica Lewis On Paralympics 100 Final

[Written by Stephen Wright]

Jessica Lewis said she is raring to go for her T53 100 metres final at the iconic Stade de France in the Paralympic Games in Paris tomorrow [September 4] as she sets her sights on breaking the 15-second barrier.

Lewis, whose personal best is 16.12, believes she is in the best condition of her career after spending the past 12 months training with coach Geoff Harris at the Athletics Canada West Hub in Victoria, British Columbia.

Ranked third in the world in the T53 100, Lewis also spent several weeks with the Canadian para-athletics team in Barcelona, Spain, putting the final touches to her preparations for Paris.

“I’m feeling the strongest I’ve felt and the most consistent with my starts,” Lewis told Bernews during an interview at the Paralympic Village yesterday [September 2].

“I want to get into the 15 seconds in the 100. I did a 16.12 this year, so I believe it’s within my grasp.

“Plus, this is a fast track, so I hope to have the opportunity to shoot for 15 seconds.

“My training has been very different since I started with Geoff [a former top Canadian middle-distance runner].

“I’m focusing on the 100 as my main event, focusing on my power training and strength development in the gym.”

The Bermudian has altered her seating position in her race chair and switched from forespoke to disc wheels, which are designed to be more aerodynamic, reducing air resistance and allowing athletes to achieve higher speeds.

She has also introduced visualisation techniques into her training – mentally rehearsing and experiencing success before it happens – and believes it will help her execute her race plan.

“Geoff is big on visualising each aspect of the race, the start, my transition, and being dynamic towards the end, which is sometimes where I struggle against my competitors because of our size difference,” Lewis said.

“I just want to execute a race I can be proud of, and Bermuda can be proud of.”

Although Lewis, the island’s most decorated para-athlete is competing at her fourth Paralympics, she said she can still feel nervous and jittery, as race day approaches.

“Each Paralympics has brought a different set of nerves for different reasons,” the 31-year-old added. “I’m used to the bigger crowds – that’s not what I’m nervous about.

“I’ve probably been putting a bit more pressure on myself to execute the way I know I can. I had a little bit of anxiety [on Monday] just thinking a bit too much about the race.

“I had a great conversation with Geoff, and he’s brought me back down to earth. I have my pre-race training [today] and then it’s go-time.”

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