Former Laker track and field, cross country star wins gold at Paralympics

Chris Hammer, a 2009 graduate and a 2022 inductee into the Lakers Hall of Fame, won the gold medal in the men’s PTS5 Para Triathlon on September 2 at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Competing in his fourth Paralympic Games, Hammer finished in a time of 58:44, besting Ronan Cordeiro of Brazil by 17 seconds.

Hammer was in eighth place following the opening swim stage with a time of 12:03, but he surged into second overall during the bike stage. His time of 29:06 during the 20-kilometer bike ride was the best segment time and put him within striking distance for a gold medal.

His time of 15:59 during the 5-kilometer run was the best segment finish among competitors and earned him the gold. 

"We are so happy and proud of Chris's incredible achievement," said Jerry Baltes, the head coach of GVSU’s track and field and cross country squads. "What he has accomplished over the course of his career is a tribute to his commitment to doing everything to the best of his ability every step of the way."

Hammer was a four-time All-American in the steeplechase and an All-American in cross country during his time at Grand Valley. 

Previously, Hammer represented the United States at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games and the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. He finished fourth in the triathlon at the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo Games.

“If it wasn’t for those fourth-place finishes, I probably wouldn’t have been as motivated to race this time around,” Hammer told World Triathlon . “Fourth is painful, and it’s not. It keeps you in the sport. It was all part of the journey that led me here. I will look back on those fourth places fondly now.”