British paracyclist denied world record attempt after drug testers fail to turn up

A 13-year-old Wiltshire paracyclist denied two valid attempts at a world record by age restrictions and the absence of doping testers now faces an even tougher challenge after the record was smashed in New Zealand.

Lauren Booth posted a time of 15.129 seconds for the C4 flying 200m at the Wales National Velodrome in November 2013, but was too young to claim the title.

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Lauren, who has cerebral palsy after contracting meningitis at six weeks of age, then claimed a personal best of 14.402s at the Newport Paracycling Track International on January 31.

A matter of hours earlier, that would have seen the Chippenham racer claim the record for the class, which is not raced in Paralympic competition, from fellow Briton Zoe Marusiak.

However, the previous day in New Zealand had seen paracyclist Kate Horan obliterate Marusiak’s mark of 15.736s after stopping the clock at 13.551s.

In any event, invited doping testers had failed to attend the event, so Lauren’s efforts were in vain.

She did, however, break national records in the 500m time trial and 2km pursuit, and claimed gold in the youth omnium.