The Next Step | Clifford Bound for Paris World Championships

For close to a decade, Jaryd Clifford had 2020 vision. Devoting every step of his life to being crowned Paralympic champion in Tokyo, not a single stride was wasted on the thought of failure. On the eve of the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, Clifford explains how his obsession with the top landed him at rock bottom.

The vision-impaired athlete coached by Philo Saunders has a rich history at the World Para Athletics Championships, first appearing at Doha 2015 before London 2017 where he won 1500m bronze, and most recently winning the 1500m/5000m double at Dubai 2019.

“I have a funny history with the World Championships to be honest, I think it actually set me up to fall short in Tokyo. Coming away with those two gold medals meant that I went into the Paralympics expecting to win, and with a bit of complacency,” Clifford says.

“It’s the same quality as the Paralympic Games and it’s a chance to come up against the best in the world to see how you stack up. We don’t get Diamond Leagues or access to the results of our competitors in between major championships, so it’s a good opportunity to see who has come onto the scene or improved.”

The distinct shift in mindset and delivery is immediately intriguing; what happened to the outspoken Australian who captured the hearts of the nation with his win at all cost attitude in Tokyo? He broke, both physically and mentally. Clifford recounts an experience akin to sprinting early in a marathon, acutely aware that the pace is unsustainable but unable to stop himself from trying:

“All of a sudden, Tokyo was finished and I hadn’t achieved what I set out to achieve - that dream was unfulfilled. I got up the next day and running was still about winning a gold medal which I was exhausted by. It took me six months of obsessive training before I got injured, which made me realise that my relationship with the sport had become a little bit toxic,” Clifford says.

“I had failed in a way that seemed to resonate with a lot of people. I had people messaging me saying that it was their favourite race of the Paralympics, so it was interesting to deal with because I couldn’t show how disappointed I really was.”

Despite winning three Paralympic medals, the burnout laced with heartbreak led him to an extended time away from training, where he concluded that the will to win was not enough to fuel his career. To reach a dream home Paralympic Games in 2032, the dual world record holder needed to rediscover his love for running.

“The way I approached this World Championships and Paralympic cycle is focussing on standing on that start line in 2024 knowing that there is no other place in the world that I would rather be, because in Tokyo I was almost looking forward to it being over,” Clifford says.

“I think my career is going to be a lot more successful because of those minor medals and losses, so this is my opportunity to make amends for those mistakes. For me, it’s a chance to try and get back on top and win that gold medal that eluded me in Tokyo.”

Currently training in Flagstaff with a group of teammates for the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships beginning in Paris on July 8 where he aims to defend his dual world T13 titles, Clifford emphasised the importance of the first standalone Para athletics event since the 2019 Dubai World Championships:

“The thing I am looking forward to the most is to pull on the green and gold again in front of my family, and it’s another chance for the Australian athletics community to get behind Para athletics on the international stage. I am really looking forward to seeing how fans of the sport respond to the stories and learn about the people on the team,” Clifford says.

“My biggest advice to anyone on the Para athletics scene is to always wear your heart on your sleeve, and when you get the chance to speak - speak gratefully and kindly. Always keep in my mind that every time you speak it is an opportunity to advance the Paralympic movement.”

Training alongside reigning world champion and Paralympic medallist Michael Roeger along with international debutant Angus Hincksman, Clifford continues to play a pivotal role in the development of young athletes – ensuring Australia remains a Paralympic powerhouse and community:

“I never underestimate the impact you can have on someone, because I have been a young athlete before. I always tell Roegs stories about when he picked me up in the car and took me to a training session when I was 13 or 14, that stuff stays with you forever,” Clifford says.

The 2023 World Para Athletics Championships are set to take place in Paris from July 8-17. More information about Jaryd Clifford can be found HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 22/6/2023