Ex-Parachute Regiment soldier Jaco van Gass set for Paralympics in Paris

Former Parachute Regiment soldier Jaco Van Gass will be going for gold once again as he prepares for his second Paralympic Games in Paris. 

The ex-soldier, who was injured while serving in Afghanistan in 2009, will have the chance to defend his two Paralympic titles that he earned in Tokyo in the men's individual pursuit C3 and the mixed team sprint C1-5.

He will also be heading into the games off the back of a very successful world championship campaign in Rio De Janeiro earlier this year, where he won five medals overall.

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Speaking to BFBS at British Cycling's team announcement in Manchester, Van Gass said: "It's wonderful! Obviously, it's great to finally do the announcement of that.

"We've known for a little while, but there’s a process to go through so it's quite hard to keep it a secret, but yes, it's wonderful to kind of get it out there to friends and family and to everyone else that I've finally been selected."

When asked about the two Paralympic golds that he won at the delayed games in Tokyo, Van Gass said that the goal in Paris would be to "defend those titles" and also achieve another world record to add to the three that he already holds.

"It's always hard to judge where you are at that moment in time," he said.

"The goal is to go and defend those titles, especially in the pursuit, that's my specialist event so do that [and] come back hopefully with a gold and another world record.

"The kilo (1km time trial) is always a difficult one because it is a factored event, so it depends on how strict the factor is against me and then obviously the team sprint, you're also relying on two other team members to be in top form.

"But if I can give my best then that will be the most amazing outcome and I'm very much looking forward to Paris and actually just experience crowds as well."

Para-cycling will take centre stage at Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines Velodrome in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, located in the southwestern suburbs of Paris.

The para-cycling will commence on 29 August with up to 51 medal events set to be contested.