Sophie Pascoe takes the gold at the Paralympic Women’s 200m Individual Medley - SM9 final
Video / TVNZ
OPINON:
Don't take Sophie Pascoe for granted.
In an era where pundits and fans around the world have doled out the title of 'Greatest of All Time' to roughly 571 athletes in just as many subcategories, the Kiwi swimmer has earned her spot among them.
Looking at greatness under themicroscope of success in one's field, Pascoe is an untouchable entity in the New Zealand sporting landscape with 47 medals (and counting) at major competitions. Of those 47, 19 have been won at the Paralympic Games – 11 of which have been gold, which sees her join fewer than 40 athletes to have won 10 of more gold medals at the Summer Games.
That level of success in itself is remarkable; her story simply adds to that.
Sophie Pascoe has won more Paralympic Games medals than any other New Zealand athlete. Photo / Getty Images
Pascoe's first gold medal at a major international competition came in 2008 at the Beijing Paralympic Games. Prior to that, she had won a bronze medal in the 200m individual medley (SM10) at the World Championships in Durban in 2006.
In 2008, Sophie Pascoe was 15 years old. And she didn't come away with just one gold medal, but three, and a silver, in her debut campaign. A year later, Pascoe was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year's Honours, for her services to swimming.
In 2011, Pascoe was named the inaugural Para-Athlete of the Year at the Halberg Awards; a category that one could argue was set up to give her the national recognition she deserves given she has won the award in six of the nine years it has been awarded.
Holding several world records and in her fourth Paralympic Games, Pascoe continues to bring home the hardware, adding to her record-setting haul and furthering her legacy as one of the greatest athletes this country has ever had the pleasure of being represented by.
Both in the pool and outside of it, Pascoe has been a superb representative for the country. Dominating in the pool, starring in TV adverts, modelling, and other endeavours have seen Pascoe in the public eye for almost half of her life and she has handled herself well in all situations - comfortable or uncomfortable as they may have been.
She has also been an inspiration for many a young athlete - one example being fellow Tokyo competitor Tupou Neiufi, who claimed the country's first gold medal in this year's Games when she won the S8 100m backstroke.
Still only 28 years old, Pascoe's story is far from written, but it is one we may not see again for some time – if ever. There are few athletes out there who can reign at the top of their sport for as long as Pascoe has, even fewer in the environment of the Games as the competition gets stronger and faster with every cycle.
Pascoe's campaign in Tokyo is almost at an end, and who's to say if she will carry on through to the 2024 Games in Paris. While you can, enjoy and celebrate the achievements of someone who has spent their entire adult life representing the country to the highest standard.
