Paris 2024: Dutch ‘machine’ Jetze Plat nets a hat-trick
Dutch athlete Jetze Plat, already a three-time gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, is gearing up for a marathon on Sunday. Plat, 33, won gold in the Para triathlon men’s PTWC on Monday, securing his third consecutive Paralympic title in the event.
On Wednesday, he added another gold to his collection in the Para road cycling individual time trial H4, an event he also won at Tokyo 2020. He continued his success on Thursday by winning the Para cycling H4 road race, defending his title once again.
A Challenging Race
The H4 road race took place under rainy and slippery conditions, causing multiple crashes. Plat and Austrian Thomas Fruehwirth led for most of the race until Plat made a decisive move near the end. Plat finished in 1:29:15, with Fruehwirth 31 seconds behind in second place, and Poland’s Rafal Wilk taking bronze.
“It was a crazy race because of the rain. I didn’t want to take any risks,” Plat said. “A lot of athletes made mistakes, but I didn’t. I was the strongest today.”
Fruehwirth praised Plat, calling him “a master, a machine,” and said racing against him was an honor.
Looking Ahead
Despite his success, Plat remains focused on the upcoming men’s marathon – T54, which takes place on Sunday. “First, I need to recover fully. I’m not the favorite in the marathon, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got,” Plat said.
After Tokyo, Plat began focusing on marathons as a new challenge. He feels less pressure now that he’s not the top favorite in this event. “In the triathlon and cycling events, I had titles to defend. In the marathon, I can only win.”
Dutch Team’s Success
The Dutch cycling team had another golden moment with Mitch Valize, who won gold in the men’s H5 road race. Valize also won the individual time trial the day before. He beat France’s Loic Vergnaud, with Ukraine’s Pavlo Bal taking bronze.
Valize humorously recalled a moment when the Dutch flag blew into his face just before the finish line. “The flag flapped into my face instead of me holding it above my head. I was a bit scared I’d ride into the barriers, but it was the only time I didn’t feel in control.”
Oksana Masters Shines
American Oksana Masters won her second gold at Paris 2024 and her 19th Paralympic medal in the women’s H5 road race. Masters, who has competed in Para rowing, Para cycling, and Para Nordic skiing, said she values the experiences and memories more than the medals themselves.
“I love socks, so I store my medals in socks. Honestly, it’s the race experience that means the most to me,” she said.
Masters, who grew up in a Ukrainian orphanage, led for most of the race against a strong field, including Sun Bianbian from China, Italy’s Maria Ana Vitelaru, and German Andrea Eskau. Despite strong competition, Masters managed to secure the gold, with Sun coming in second and Vitelaru in third.