U.S. Paralympians Lambert and Wallace Forge Unique Partnership in Long Jump
In the heart of Paris, at Team USA’s high-performance center for the Paralympics, a unique partnership is blossoming between two talented athletes – Noelle Lambert and Jarryd Wallace. Both competing in para athletics, Lambert in the T63 category for athletes with above-the-knee amputations, and Wallace in the T64 category for athletes with below-the-knee amputations, these two Paralympians have found a new passion in transitioning from sprinting to the long jump for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
A New Chapter in Their Careers
For Wallace, a seasoned veteran in his fourth Paralympic Games, the switch to the long jump event came as a welcome change from the burnout he was experiencing after years of competing in sprint events. “I wasn’t having fun, and I think that’s always been kind of my marker,” Wallace shared. “But I just didn’t feel like I was supposed to be done with track.” This shift has brought a renewed sense of joy and purpose to his athletic career.
On the other hand, Lambert, competing in her second Paralympics, embraced the challenge of adding a new event to her repertoire. After a life-changing accident led to the amputation of her leg, Lambert transitioned from lacrosse to track and field, where she quickly made a name for herself. “The prosthetic is attached to my body, yes, but it’s not 100% mine,” Lambert reflected. “So it can be kind of scary, putting all your weight into something and having it launch you in the air.”
A Mentorship Turned Partnership
Despite their age difference and experience levels, Wallace and Lambert have formed a strong bond as teammates on Team USA. Wallace, with his wealth of knowledge and experience as an amputee athlete, has taken on a mentorship role for Lambert, offering training advice and technical expertise. “He’s been an incredible help to me, especially with the long jump because he knows a lot about prosthetics,” Lambert acknowledged. “He’s been an amputee a lot longer than I have, and he just knows the mechanics of sprinting.”
As they prepare to take their first jumps on the Paralympic stage in Paris, both athletes are eager to showcase their skills and compete in front of a live audience once again. Lambert, currently ranked second in her classification in the world, and Wallace, ranked third, are determined to make their mark in the long jump event and inspire others with their resilience and determination.
Looking Towards the Future
As Lambert and Wallace continue their journey at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, they serve as shining examples of perseverance and teamwork in the world of adaptive sports. Their unique partnership transcends boundaries of age, experience, and disability, highlighting the power of collaboration and mutual support in achieving athletic excellence.
In the days to come, all eyes will be on Lambert and Wallace as they take to the track and soar through the air in pursuit of Paralympic glory. Their story is one of courage, determination, and the unbreakable spirit of the human will – a testament to the power of sport to unite, inspire, and uplift us all.