What if it works out? It’s the simple question that took Paralympian Rhiannon Clarke from the brink of retirement to her first international gold medal in the space of six months.
Retirement was far from a fleeting thought too, with chronic nerve pain in Clarke’s foot begging her to wave the white flag at the age of 24 – to end the war between her body and her dream.
Somewhere between stubbornness and resilience in a place called Glasgow, the dream prevailed.
“There is no point doing something if you don’t love it and I have always loved athletics, but being in constant pain was taking away from that,” Clarke says.
“Sometimes you have to think of what if – what if I keep going?”
The answer was resounding.
Halfway down the Scotstoun Stadium straight in the 200m T38, Clarke pumped her arms and reeled in two-time Paralympic champion Sophie Hahn from England.
After eight years and five minor medals, she would hear the national anthem, her anthem, for the first time.
“I looked at Briseis [Brittain] and she was crying, then I looked at the screen and saw her name in third as well,” Clarke says.
“Then I started crying! I was just so proud of both of us, she’s such a sweet girl and I’m so glad she got involved in Para sport.”
Just days earlier, Clarke had been outclassed in the 100m T38.
The West Australian ran a strong time of 12.94-seconds to finish in fourth place, but having won silver in the event as a 15-year-old at the 2018 Commonwealth Games – it felt like a step backwards.
“Most athletes start out by not medalling at international competitions, but I was the opposite,” Clarke says.
“Part of me just wanted to go back to the hotel and cry, but I stayed at the track and I’m so happy that I did because I was inspired by the success of my teammates.”
The gold is Clarke’s first international medal since 2023, with near misses at the 2024 Paralympic Games and a tumultuous campaign at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, teaching the sprinter a simple lesson.
“I’ve learned that you can’t change the past and dwelling on it isn’t going to change the future,” Clarke says.
“One of the biggest things that I took out of Worlds last year is that shit happens.”
Her prized possession is on the road regularly, taking joy rides to schools and public speaking events as Clarke shares her story and success, which she values as two separate identities.
“One girl stood up the other day and told everyone for the first time that she has cerebral palsy. I was standing there trying not to cry,” Clarke says.
“Growing up I didn’t have anything like that. It was always just AFL players.”
Coached by Danny Kevan as part of the Kinetic Track Squad, Clarke’s gold medal is the most soothing remedy for the nerve pain in her foot to date, icing the retirement talks.
“I feel like being at the top has made me more motivated to see where I can go, and obviously I’m hungry to stay at the top,” Clarke says.
“Danny said he would support me even if I did choose to retire, but after the Games it’s no longer on the cards. He will have to deal with me for a lot longer yet.”
The 10th year of her representative career will be headlined by the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships in Tashkent next June, where she is already eyeing a step up to the 400m ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 22/10/2026
