Overheated Clifford confident he'll be ready for 1500m hit out

Distance runner Jaryd Clifford realised a dream – winning his first Paralympic medal – but it came at considerable cost.

Clifford can’t remember patches of his post-race movements, after taking silver in the 5000m T13  at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium because he was under severe heat stress.

Australian and Tokyo 2020 medical staff had to apply ice packs to his body, rehydrate and cool him down with ice baths and other treatments, after he collapsed in the tunnel under the stadium.

Clifford gave his absolute all to the point of physical exhaustion trying to catch Spain’s Yassine Ouhdad El Aaby, who took gold in 14m:34.13 with Clifford 14:35.52 – well outside his personal best but temperatures were in the mid-30s and the humidity was energy-sapping. Clifford beat the Spaniard to take the 5000m gold at the 2019 Dubai World Championships. But the 22-year-old Victorian was just as proud to take silver.

“I’m finally a Paralympic medallist – it ticks a pretty big box. I would be more disappointed if I didn’t win but hadn’t given it my all. But I did,” said Clifford who finished seventh at Rio 2016.

“I haven’t really felt like that after a race – ever – that makes me able to accept the result because it genuinely felt like I gave it my all.”

Clifford’s courage even prompted a Tweet from Premier Daniel Andrews saying “You gave it everything and then some more. Our entire state is proud of you.”

Clifford was confident of recovering fully for his best event, the 1500m on Tuesday morning. An event he is the current world record holder and the current world champion. 

“I’m up against a totally different group of runners. The heat in the 1500 shouldn’t be as much of a factor. I’ve just got to get myself in the best possible position to cover the moves.”

As for his third event – the Marathon on Sunday September 5?

“I’ll make a decision later but I’m definitely intent on doing it because the pace for the Marathon is a lot different and I have the guides (Tim Logan, Vincent Donnadieu). We can put water on ourselves the whole way. The 5k hurts differently from a Marathon hurt. I’m ready for the hurt in that way.”

Watch Clifford take on his second event of his Paralympic schedule at 10.38am AEST on Seven and 7Plus. 

By Margie McDonald for Paralympics Australia
Posted: 30/8/2021