RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Stef Reid won Paralympic silver on Friday but her ultra-competitive husband, Brent Lakatos, aims to do one better.
Lakatos set a Paralympic record in his T-53 100m heat Friday, with a time of 14.43, putting him on track for gold.
During the 2012 London Games, Lakatos representing Canada, and his wife Great Britain, bet that whoever won gold would not have to wash the dishes. They both finished with silver, Reid in the same T-44 long jump event in which she medalled Friday.
The pair, who lives in Loughborough, GBR, figured Lakatos would have an unfair advantage in Rio.
“I’ve got more chances than her,” said the 36-year-old, who will also compete in the T-53 400m, 800m and 4x400m relay. “She didn’t want to take that bet this year.”
Lakatos’ passion for sports—and winning—is genetic. His father, Steve, enrolled Brent and sister, Trisha, in numerous activities while growing up in Dorval, Que.
“His mom and I were always very competitive in many, many sports,” Steve said while watching daughter-in-law Reid compete. “With a little guidance, we got them into sports. They stayed and they loved it, it seemed to come natural to them.”
Lakatos, a member of Team Canada since 2004, said he leads by example.
“Hopefully I can break the ice tonight and win a medal and other people will follow along,” Lakatos said. “Success is contagious.”
The number one ranked wheelchair racer in world may be competing in his fourth Paralympics but his drive for success is still a priority.
“I’ve done everything, absolutely everything I could,” Lakatos said. “It’s all for this right now.”
Lakatos races for gold in the 100m final at 6.22 pm ET Friday.
Twitter: @HannahDCarver