Hometown: Altrincham
Sport: Cycling
Event: Tandem B pursuit, time trial and road race
Games: London 2012, Rio 2016

Lora has been blind for almost all her life, losing her sight at the age of five due to a hereditary condition. She grew in a household that was adapted to her needs, as her brothers and mother were also blind.

Cycling was not the first sport she practised. When at school she competed in track and cross-country athletics, having been inspired by finding her mum's old running spikes in the back of her wardrobe.

After taking a break from sport at the start of university, Lora realised how much she missed training and competing. Therefore, when the announcement was made that London would be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, she made it her goal to be part of the action and found a love, and talent, for cycling.

Lora started competing internationally in 2009 and won her first major medal at the World Championships, securing bronze in the road race with her pilot Rebecca Rimmington. At the 2011 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships, she then secured a silver medal in the pursuit with her pilot Fiona Duncan.

At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Lora and Fiona finished just short of the podium with 4th place in the tandem B kilo and the tandem B pursuit on the track, alongside 8th position in the time-trial, despite mechanical issues with her bike where her bike chain jammed. In the road race, Lora finished in 7th place.

Although disappointed, Lora did not give up on her sporting dreams. Working with a new pilot, Corrine Hall, Lora bounced back into action to win the gold medal in the tandem B time-trial at the 2013 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships.

At Rio 2016, Lora achieved her goal of becoming a Paralympic Champion, with gold in the pursuit, alongside a bronze in the time trial.

Lora continues to compete and is working towards a new goal of defending her title at Tokyo 2020.

Fun fact: Lora’s brother Roy is also a Paralympian and represented ParalympicsGB in football 5-a-side at London 2012.

Lora is also an ambassador for Get Set’s Travel to Tokyo pilot programme, launched in the autumn term of 2018. Other ambassadors include Beth Tweddle MBE, Jack Hunter-Spivey, and Bianca Walkden. You can find out more about the programme, and join the journey at: www.getset.co.uk/travel-to-tokyo