Paralympic cyclist Marie-Ève ​​Croteau had her two race bikes stolen earlier this week at her condo in the Charlesbourg area of Quebec City.

According to surveillance tape, two men broke into her building's garage on Monday night. They cut the cable of the bikes' lock before fleeing in a car where a third accomplice was waiting.

​​Croteau will fly to the Rio Paralympics on September 5. At the age of 37, she will take part in the first games of her career.

In 2012, Croteau ​​was set to take part in the London Paralympics, but a severe concussion had made her unfit to compete just weeks before.

"This is now my second chance. [The event] might bring out the lioness in me," she said.

Although she has older bicycles at her disposal, she was training for the last two months with the two stolen bikes.

Croteau's sponsor, bike maker Louis Garneau, pledged on Saturday morning to replace at least one of the bikes. A merchant in the Quebec City region also said it would donate money for a new bike.