Lee Pearson has cemented his place in history at these Paralympics, winning his second gold medal in Tokyo, this time in the dressage team test to music. It’s Pearson’s 14th overall Paralympic gold medal, which is tied for the 14th most in history.
And he’s done it as an out gay man.
Pearson started his Paralympic career over 20 years ago, at the Sydney Games. He had reportedly been inspired by the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games — where out rider Robert Dover also won a bronze in team dressage — and he decided to take up the para sport.
Pearson rides in the equestrian event of para dressage for Team Great Britain and previously in Tokyo won gold in the individual test – grade II.
If you’re not quite sure what the equestrian event of dressage is, Nick Wagman previously described dressage during his conversation with Outsports’ Five Rings To Rule Them All.
Pearson also has two Paralympic silvers and a bronze. That 14:2:1 ratio is crazy high.
