Before Tristen Chernove left for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the Powell River born and raised athlete said his plan on race day was to give the absolute best performance he could as a para-cyclist.
On Friday, September 9, Saturday, September 10, and Wednesday, September 14, Chernove’s best placed him on the podium as a multiple medal winner in para-cycling for Canada and Powell River.
He earned gold in road cycling time trial C2, silver in the 3,000-metre individual pursuit and bronze in the 1,000-metre time trial.
“We’re very excited, very proud,” said Chernove’s younger sister Brooke Taylor, who watched his races live with her family in Powell River. “It goes to show that Tristen has always overcome, accomplished and inspired.”
Six years ago, Chernove was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a disorder similar to muscular dystrophy that affects the nervous system. It was then that he began cycling in order to slow the symptoms of CMT.
Taylor said watching Chernove race in Rio has been “awesome” for the whole family. “We all know how hard Tristen works; he is competitive and wants to win,” said Taylor, “but it also shows what you can do if you have the heart and mind to do it.”
Participating in Rio culminates a remarkable season for Chernove, considering he only took up international para-cyling last year. A world champion in the 1,000-metre time trial and pursuit, Chernove now has three Paralympic medals with road races that began Wednesday, September 14, his one event remaining in Rio.
After the competition, Chernove will return to his family and business in Cranbrook, BC, where he now resides.
In March, after winning the world championship, Chernove said, “Being from Powell River has everything to do with who and how I am in the world. The people in that place were part of forming me. I am a reflection of the friends I grew up with and my family, who happen to be some of the best people and brightest spirits on earth.”
According to Taylor, people in Powell River will likely see Chernove riding his bike on Highway 101 at Thanksgiving in October.
