From rainbow jersey to silver screen, Gordon is loving life

A month after helping to pedal Australia to the top of the medal tally at the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships, Paralympian Gordon Allan is back in the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) gymnasium feeling “rejuvenated” after his intense 2024 Paris campaign.

Allan contributed a gold, silver and bronze to Australia’s championships topping medal haul of 25, revealing the overwhelming feeling he experienced while competing in Rio was ‘enjoyment.’

“After every Games I think you enjoy cycling more,” said Allan, who features in the emotion-charged movie Changing Track that will have its Sydney premiere at the Ritz Cinemas on Friday November 14 and Hayden Orpheum on Monday November 17.

“You just spend so much time preparing for the Games and there’s plenty of pressure to perform because you’re always looking for points for your country, while at the same time you’re chasing qualifying times.

“It’s a lot of pressure and I needed a mental refresh. I’m also getting to the second half of my career now – the latter half – and I want to enjoy it.”

Allan, whose career decorations include his 2024 Paralympic Games bronze medal and 13 world championships medals, enjoyed a memorable moment in Rio. He was presented with his first ‘rainbow jersey’- the prized shirt that has been presented to cycling’s world champions since 1927.

“It was pretty special,” said Allan of receiving his jersey and first world champs gold medal for his role with Australia’s mixed C1-5 team sprint.

“The team was from all over Australia, and we didn’t know how it would go, but that win was extra special. After getting bronze in Paris, it meant a lot to go two positions better.”

Allan, who also finished with silver in the C2 Men’s Sprint and bronze in the C2 1km Time Trial, will be put under the spotlight – again – on Monday November 17 when he participates in a Q&A at the premiere of Changing Track at Sydney’s Hayden Orpheum cinema.

Along with fellow NSWIS scholarship holder and Paralympic Games legend Lauren Parker, the 27-year-old, who works as the strength & conditioning coach for State League football team Spirit FC, has a cameo in the highly acclaimed film which examines what it takes for Paralympic dreams to come true.

“Nervous . . . feels funny seeing yourself on camera,” said Allan about treading the red carpet. “But the movie shows we are all elite athletes who’ve had our own journey getting there.”

Allan, who was born with Cerebral Palsy (CP), revealed his Paralympic journey began when he became hooked on the thrill and freedom he felt while riding a bike after one of his mates showed him the shiny, brand-new bicycle he’d received as a gift from his parents.

After pointing out its numerous ‘you beaut’ features, the mate dared Allan to ride down the steep grassy hill in the park situated behind his family home.

“And [my friend’s] like, ‘I dare you to ride the bike down the hill,” he said with a grin. “And I was like ‘yeah!’ so I jumped on the bike . . . I don’t know why . . . but I did straight up, right? And then I was like, ‘that’s cool, that’s awesome.’ Within a couple of weeks, I had a bike, my parents helped me out . . . got me a bike . . . and from there it started.”

Changing Track also showcases the camaraderie that bonded Australia’s Para-cycling team in Paris, including the special guard of honour each athlete received after they competed.

“That was seen as culturally important for the team,” said Allan. “It didn’t matter where someone finished . . . first or wherever . . . if you were at our team hotel you welcomed your teammates home.”

 Daniel Lane, NSWIS