Chantal Haenen

Started: She began handcycling in 2017. (1limburg.nl, 12 Dec 2019) Reason: She was involved in dressage prior to her accident. "Able-bodied horseback riding is very different from Para dressage. I immediately realised that I didn't like it as much. During my rehabilitation in Austria someone asked if I would like to climb a mountain with a handcycle. I was not really looking forward to it, but I decided to go anyway. Once we climbed the mountain and returned again I knew it [handcycling] was right. I think it is cool." (1limburg.nl, 12 Dec 2019) Ambition: To win gold in the H5 road race and time trial events at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (limburg.nl, 03 Jan 2024) Additional Info: MULTI-SPORT ATHLETE She was involved in dressage prior to her accident and started handcycling while she was rehabilitating in Austria. She began looking for another sport after competing in cycling at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, and took up rowing in 2021. She had planned to compete in both rowing and cycling at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris but ultimately decided to focus on cycling, which she believes she has a better chance of winning a medal in. "I went to the Tokyo Games for Para cycling and it was really cool. I really learned a lot but I missed something. I was really looking for something else to do. Then I was thinking, what sport can it be, or maybe a job. I was looking for variety, cycling alone was not enough for me. So, I worked at a real estate agents and I tried rowing. I just really liked it. We [she and rowing partner Corne de Koning] qualified for Paris, but due to a difference of opinion with the association about the programme, I decided to focus entirely on cycling, where I have the greatest chance of winning a medal. Since October 2021, I have been combining handbiking with rowing. I think they complement each other. Many rowers cycle. You use the same muscles, although rowing is much more technical. For me, it is a new training stimulus and I think that, partly due to rowing, I am now stronger on the bike than ever." (limburg.nl, 03 Jan 2024; World Rowing YouTube channel, 18 Sep 2023; teamnl.org, 02 Aug 2022; 1limburg.nl, 12 Dec 2019)