Behind the Paralympics: No one wins on their own
Even in individual sports, no one can win on their own. Behind the athlete, there are always a coach and several other experts, not to mention a family. GOJYSK.com has met cyclist Martin Heggelund's father in the Paralympic village.
In the middle of the interview, a phone suddenly rings, and Mogens Heggelund apologetically asks if he can take the call. It is his son Martin, who has just finished his training and now needs to know where the long pants are.
This is a good example of why Mogens Heggelund has come to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. His son, Martin Heggelund, who competes in para-cycling, has cerebral palsy. He can manage everything on his own, but it takes more time and energy, which is why Mogens is there to help with all the practicalities, so that Martin can focus on what is most important: cycling as fast as possible.
The two have formed a team for a long time. Of course, due to their father-son relationship, but it was during a tandem ride to Paris in 2018 to see the end of the Tour de France that Martin Heggelund truly got hooked on cycling. Now, he's in Paris, not just as a spectator, but as an athlete, and it has been a great experience so far.
"It has been incredibly overwhelming, and the opening ceremony was especially grand. There was already a very special atmosphere, when we left the Paralympic village together, and when we got off the bus on the Champs-Élysées, all the volunteers were cheering. That really made an impact," says Mogens Heggelund.
PROFESSIONAL SETUP
Mogens Heggelund retired two years ago and has therefore been able to help his son even more in preparation for the Paralympic Games. He has been particularly impressed by how professional parasports are.
"It is really well-planned when Martin should rest, what he should eat, and how and when he should train. I do not think there is much difference compared to able-bodied sports in that regard. Therefore, I have also gained a huge respect for all the others who are here, because I have seen how much hard work goes into it," says Mogens.
The special tricycle that Martin rides has also been difficult to acquire, as there are very few manufacturers that make them, and they cost between 60,000 and 70,000 kroner.
"Of course, for us as a family, cycling has been expensive, and without help from sponsors, among others, it would not have been possible," says Mogens.
A GOOD EXPERIENCE
Martin Heggelund will compete on 4 September and 7 September at the Paralympic Games, and he is not immediately among the medal favorites. Therefore, it is more about the experience.
"My goal is for Martin to have a good experience and to feel that he has done his best, and I will be satisfied with that. Whether it ends up being a top-15 finish, we will see. A couple of days before the race, he will sit down with his coach and set an ambitious but realistic goal, and then he will go for it," says Mogens.
