Canada's Pemble, Hayward making mark as Para track cyclists just a few years into the sport

You never know where life will take you.

Just ask Canada's Alexandre Hayward and Mel Pemble, who are racing toward the Paralympics as track cyclists just a few years after transitioning from completely different sports.

Hayward, a former wheelchair basketball player, and Pemble, a former Paralympic alpine skier, are chasing gold on the track this week at the world championships in Rio de Janeiro, their third straight appearance at the competition. It runs March 20-24 at the Rio Olympic velodrome, the venue from the 2016 Games.

Pemble made the switch to cycling in 2020, while Hayward joined her two years later, shortly before making his world-championship debut. They now train at the same facility in Bromont, Que., while working toward their goal of becoming summer Paralympians for the first time.

The oft-used term "meteoric rise" couldn't be more applicable for the 23-year-old Pemble, who already has five world medals on her resumé — including back-to-back gold in the omnium event.

"It has been a crazy four years going from completely skiing to completely cycling and having that wild ride. It has been a complete whirlwind since I've been on the team, and the success has been a bonus for sure," Pemble told CBC Sports.

They are both feeling confident after gold-medal performances on the track at the Parapan Am Games last November in Santiago, Chile, along with their time spent training with national coach Sébastien Travers in Bromont.

WATCH l Hayward wins Parapan Am gold in 3,000m individual pursuit:

Hayward won gold in the pursuit and silver in the time trial in Santiago while making his multi-sport Games debut. The emboldened 27-year-old from Quispamsis, N.B., is now gunning for his first podium finish at worlds.

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