Three years ago, Great Britain’s paratriathlete Michael Taylor secured his Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo. That followed a run of strong performances which saw him metaphorically force his way into selection contention in the last few months of the qualification window. Second-place finishes at World Triathlon Para Series events in Yokohama and Leeds in 2021 secured his seat on the plane to Japan.
Still just 28, the PTS4 athlete is now one of the stalwarts of the British Triathlon squad, and that Tokyo experience could play into his hands come race day, Sunday September 1. Talented away from the sporting arena too, the qualified physio has completed three years of a medical degree, and will return to complete the remaining two years after putting that on hold for the past year to fully focus on his Paralympic Games ambitions.
I recently spoke to Michael at their ‘kitting out’ day, and the start point of that discussion was how he saw Taylor 2021 vs. Taylor 2024, heading into Paris.
Confidence through experience
Having only got into the sport in 2017 through a British Triathlon Tri4Tokyo initiative, Taylor feels in a far better place this time around, with learnings to call on from Tokyo, where he finished eighth.
“I feel a lot more prepared, and while it will be a very different style to the COVID-Games of Tokyo in terms of atmosphere, I do feel like I will be a lot more ready and perhaps not as overwhelmed as I was before. I’ll have more of an idea what to expect.
“I’ll take confidence from that and not overdo it in the lead up to the Games, and some lessons I learned last time. I’m just really looking forward to enjoying it – having friends and family there will really change the whole experience really. It’s nice going knowing what I’m doing and a lot more confident in my ability and how to go about it.”
Paris prep done
Michael was not able to race at last year’s World Para Cup event, but has taken steps to ensure that he doesn’t go into the big day unprepared for the details of the Paris course.
“I had an injury and so couldn’t do the race last year, but a couple of weeks ago we flew over to Paris to do a little recce of the course in the early hours on the morning. Tommy Zaferes has done a video on YouTube you can have a look at too, and along with speaking to people about their experiences, I think I’ve got a good insight into tactics.
“There’s quite a lot of cobbles, so trying those on the actual course was really helpful and I do feel prepared with the knowledge from other athletes and British Triathlon staff, so I don’t think I’m missing too much from not being able to be at the Test Event.”
One thing that has dominated the triathlon conversation in Paris this year is the Seine water quality. That Para Cup event last year was in duathlon format, but as an excellent swimmer, Michael does not want to see a repeat of that.
“Yeah, I would be pretty gutted if it was a duathlon. I grew up in north Devon by the beach and swam in the sea a lot there, so I’m quite used to swimming with currents, a bit of chop and different swimming conditions, so that really plays to my strengths to have the swim a bit more challenging.
“I think the bike course is quite good for me too – it’s quick, quite flat – and I think that suits me, so hopefully I can have a good swim-bike and then see how we get on. I’m really excited, I think it will be an interesting race.”
The keys to success
That injury seems to be behind him, following a consistent run of results during 2024. That’s included a World Triathlon Para Series victory in Devonport, Para Cup wins in Turkey and Uzbekistan, and a close second place more recently in Swansea.
“I definitely took a lot of confidence from that Swansea race. There were just a few little things I messed up, like in transition, which cost me the race. I need to iron those out before Paris, and if I can completely nail my transitions it will really help.
*My run has slowly been getting better and is on an upward trajectory, so hopefully that can peak for Paris. The crowds will really help – in Swansea I had a good family support squad there, and those things really add up and help.
The Men’s PTS4 division has been dominated by French star Alexis Hanquinquant, the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist, who has not been beaten in individual competition for more than five years. While the home favourite will have that pressure of expectation, what does Michael feel he needs to do to produce his own best on race day?
“Getting a good swim, and trying to come out of the water with Alexis who is also a good swimmer, the reigning Paralympic champion, have a strong bike and not make any silly mistakes. I’ve just got a new running socket, which is fitting a lot better, and so it’s all those little things coming together.
“The individual disciplines and training has been going well, so it’s that fourth discipline of transition and just being able to hold my nerve on the run – be able to push it and not be scared to go too hard – basically.
“I think it was be a really exciting race. Our category has definitely got a lot more competitive since Tokyo as well, it’s good to see the sport developing like that.”
