Nathan Clement won the silver medal in the men’s T1-2 Individual Time Trial on Wednesday at the Paralympics in Paris. 

The West Vancouver, B.C. native, and former Para swimmer, finished the 14.1 kilometre course with a time of 22:53.36, beating Tim Celen, of Belgium. 

Defending gold medalist Jianxin Chen, of China, took gold in 21:35.78. 

“It’s special. It’s my life’s work,” said Clement, to Cycling Canada. “Although I’ve worn different hats as a CP seven-a-side soccer player, as a Paralympic swimmer, and now as a Paralympic cyclist, I’m very lucky.

“Many athletes don’t have the opportunity to compete in two Games, let alone two Games in a different sport, let alone stand on a podium and see the Canadian flag raised.” 

Clement continuously held the second-fastest time in the trial, averaging 32.218 km/hour, after a slow start.

The cyclists in the T1-2 classification ride a three wheeled bicycle for stability. 

Clement was a medalist at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, 2023 Parapan American Games, and 2022 Para Cycling World Championships. 

The Canadian competed at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in the swimming events, where he broke the Canadian record in the 50m butterfly. Now 29-years-old, Clement started swimming at 15 to regain mobility in his left side after suffering from a stroke at two, caused by chicken pox. 

He has another event Saturday in the men’s T1-2 Road Race at 6:45 a.m. Eastern.