‘I love life’ says Para triathlete Weir on her journey to the Paralympic start line

She could not swim and did not have her own bike when she first took up Para triathlon. But despite the challenges, training and competing have given Kirsty Weir so much joy and a sense of pride. We caught up with the South African athlete, who is aiming to qualify for her first Paralympic Games.

Most of the slots will be allocated based on the World Triathlon Paralympic Qualification Rankings as of 1 July 2024. What would competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympics mean to you?

Oh wow, I don’t even know how to express how I would feel. An overwhelming sense of pride, gratitude and disbelief that I, an ordinary girl, would be at the Paralympic Games representing her country. 

Is it true you decided to try to compete in Paris while watching Tokyo 2020 on TV? Could you tell us about this dream and your goal to make it a reality?

I have always been inspired watching all Para athletes. They have the drive and determination to overcome any obstacles. Their athleticism is just next level. It was there and then that I realised that I could also be an inspiration to someone; I had the ability to also take on the best in the world.

How are the preparations for Paris looking like at the moment?

Since I'm relatively new to triathlon, the focus right now is building a strong foundation. This involves a lot of technical skills, building a strong physical base and mental toughness. Every day of training and competition brings joy, and I'm constantly pushing myself to improve.

And what are your goals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games?

As athletes we all want to stand on that podium with medal in hand, but the girls in my class [PTS4] are very experienced, so I have a lot of hard work ahead of me.

How are you prepared to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics in such a gruelling sport as Para triathlon? 

I don’t think anything is as gruelling as fighting illness and disease every day of your life. Overcoming an eating disorder and living with neurological lupus have instilled invaluable qualities that have directly benefited my journey to qualify for the Paralympics and excel in triathlon, a demanding sport: mental resilience, discipline, goal-setting and achievement, adaptability and self-belief.

Triathlon gives me joy and I will fight any disease for the joy this sport and the people have brought to my life. 

Let’s go back a bit. You were a talented runner, earning a scholarship in the USA. Where did you see running taking you at the time? Was competing at the Olympics a realistic aim?

Never ever did I think of, let alone dream of the Olympics. I just wanted to be identified as one of the top amateur runners. My mom has done six Comrades Marathons (+- 90km South African ultra-distance run) and all I wanted to achieve was someday getting a top three in the race.

Is it true when somebody first suggested you aim for triathlon that you couldn’t swim and didn’t have a bike? 

True. I borrowed a bike, helmet, bike shoes, goggles, swim cap and off I went. Thank goodness it was a low tide for the swim as I walked the 750m pretending I was swimming.

I competed the whole of last year on a borrowed bike and basic instructions on how to swim. I still don’t have the best bike, equipment, nutrition etc, but it’s the joy this sport gives and the reason to fight to live every day that counts.

How important is mindset and mental preparation?

To be honest, I have so much work I still need to do on this. For all those years thinking I was worth nothing and then being told that the symptoms I was feeling due to my neurological lupus were all in my head, destroyed my confidence and I still struggle terribly from lack of self-belief. My team tries and keeps things as stress-free and positive as possible.

To overcome a life-threatening illness like anorexia and now with a disease, when I should be taking things easy, here I am trying to chase a physically demanding dream and goal – this mind of mine definitely has a mind of its own!

What motivates you on the days you are not feeling well or you just don’t feel like training or getting out of bed?

You know, when people say, ‘oh shame’, I say, ‘oh no, I’m the luckiest person in the world’. I have travelled, met the most amazing people and been introduced to my Para family and a sport that I never knew could ignite a flame in me like Para triathlon has.

Saying this, there are days when lupus wins and I end up sitting in the gutter crying or lying on the garage floor as I have nothing left in me. This is when it is all real. I make it back to my bed, take a step back for the time that’s needed, then I think of all the opportunities that have come my way, of my dream and goal, and say ‘The sun will rise again tomorrow and so will I’.

Oh, I love life.  I want to live forever.  I want to train and race forever. Being alive is such a privilege. I believe all I've faced and still face is for a reason. And if I can inspire someone through my challenges to find positives and never give up, that’s the reason I fight for life. 

Discover more about Para triathlon and the 22 sports in the Paris 2024 Paralympic sports programme 

Book your tickets for the Paralympic Games by visiting the Paris 2024 ticketing website