Katie-George Dunlevy speechless in setting world record, winning Paralympics silver medal

Katie-George Dunlevy got to experience two thrills in one event at the Tokyo Paralympics, taking home a silver medal in B 3000-Meter Individual Pursuit Para Cycling and briefly holding a new world record.

Representing Ireland, Dunlevy and cycling partner Eve McCrystal completed the medal round with a time of 3:21.505, finishing second behind British gold medalists Lora Fachie and Corinne Hall.

Furthermore, during the qualifying round, Dunlevy and McCrystal set a world record time of 3:19.946, which was subsequently broken by Fachie and Hall.

“I’m in a bit of shock, it’s absolutely amazing,” Dunlevy enthused after earning silver. “If someone said to me before that I would get a medal in the pursuit, I would never have thought it in my wildest dreams. We were hoping to do a good ride and get a PB. To get that and a world record, I’m just speechless.”

Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Dunlevy is part of a record number of LGBTQ Paralympic athletes competing at the Tokyo Games. She is also registered as blind due to a condition known as retinitis pigmentosa.

The Tokyo Individual Pursuit is just her latest triumph. Previously, Dunlevy and McCrystal claimed two cycling medals at the 2016 Paralympics, winning gold in the Time Trial and silver in the Road Race.

Their newest medal inspired plaudits from their home country’s highest ranking officials.

“My warmest congratulations to Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal, who today won silver in the B 3000m Individual Pursuit, adding to their remarkable record when representing Team Ireland,” Ireland President Michael D. Higgins proclaimed.

After setting a world record and earning a presidential tribute, Dunlevy has already had a Paralympics to remember.