Lauren Parker and men’s team pursuit’s Paris performances celebrated at AIS Awards 

Australian cycling has been recognised for an outstanding year of achievements, with para-cyclist Lauren Parker and the ARA Australian Cycling Team’s men’s team pursuit team from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games scooping awards at the Australian Institute of Sport Performance Awards last night. 

Parker, a Paris double gold medallist, has capped off a sensational year being named the 2024 Female Para-athlete of the Year and winning the Performance of the Year, at a gala ceremony in Melbourne.  

The para-cyclist and para-triathlete made history by becoming the first Australian to win Paralympic gold in two separate sports – the H1-4 para-cycling road race and PTWC1 triathlon.  

Incredibly, Parker also took silver in cycling’s H1-3 individual time trial in Paris, and won multiple world cup golds throughout the year.   

It is the second consecutive year Parker has been named Female Para-athlete of the Year.   

“It’s amazing to receive these awards and have my achievements recognised after a massive year,” Parker said at the event.  

“Lots of highs and lows this year, but I can’t be happier with the success that I’ve had at the Olympics across two different sports, two gold medals and a silver, I’m just so happy.” 

Fellow ARA Australian Cycling Team members Grace Brown, who won Olympic gold in the individual time trial and was crowned world champion, and Saya Sakakibara, who won Olympic gold in BMX racing, were also nominated for Performance of the Year.  

Following their success at Paris with a world record and Olympic gold, the men's team pursuit (Oliver Bleddyn, Conor Leahy, Kelland O'Brien and Sam Welsford) was named the 2024 Team of the Year.  

Kelland O'Brien, Oliver Bleddyn and Conor Leahy.

“The emotions come out tonight as well getting recognised by the AIS and everyone here.  

It’s a great feeling to be able to reward the team we have,” O’Brien said.  

“It’s pretty surreal looking back at my career and the whole team’s career really, the journey that’s led us here,” Leahy reflected.  

“The main thing that I’ve reflected on is never really give up, I know it sounds pretty cliched but if you stick to it and you have enough belief and hunger that you can make anything happen really. Just stick to it and enjoy what you do.” 

Track  para-cyclist Korey Boddington was nominated for Emerging Athlete of the Year after setting a Paralympic record in the Men’s C4 1000m time trial on debut and going on to win gold in the event.