McClelland relishes golden World Championship moment
15th September 2013Four-time paratriathlon world champion Faye McClelland says sharing her latest title with London was the greatest moment of her career.
The 33-year-old led home a British one-two-three in Hyde Park on Friday (13 September 2013) and stood alongside Lauren Steadman and Clare Cunningham on the medal podium in front of a packed crowd at Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
Clinching gold at the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London at the same venue used for the 2012 Olympic Games has further stoked the Briton’s dreams of making her Paralympic debut in Rio.
But it was the view from under Nelson’s Column up towards the National Gallery and across the renamed Triathlon Square, which McClelland described as “surreal”.
“It is a proud moment as a Londoner to stand in the heart of the city, Trafalgar Square, to share this with everyone,” McClelland said.
“The atmosphere, with all the public around and the team together wearing all the kit, is amazing and we are all very proud.
“This is the perfect way to celebrate — with the British people, family and friends who have been right behind us all the way.
“Winning this world title has been the toughest yet and this is the most special moment of them all. I feel privileged.”
As well as hosting the paratriathlon medal ceremony, the opening ceremony and Sunday’s closing ceremony Triathlon Square was bustling with daily action.
Non Stanford’s dramatic ITU Triathlon World Championship triumph was broadcast live on big screens on Saturday as thousands took part in a host of activities, from hitting the water in the endless pool, hopping onto static bikes and running on treadmills on the Triathlon England ‘live site’.