Plenty of gold medals will be up for grabs on day eight of Paralympic Games with Sammi Kinghorn eager to be at the top of the podium again and veterans Matt Skelhon and Dan Greaves in action.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what is in store for Great Britain’s Paralympians on an action-packed Thursday in Paris.
Double trouble for Sammi?
Sammi Kinghorn is Paralympic CHAMPION!A new Paralympic Record. 🔥YIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRSS.#ParalympicsGB 🥇 pic.twitter.com/5CBsB6ucX7
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) September 4, 2024
Wheelchair racer Kinghorn followed in the footsteps of Tanni Grey-Thompson on Wednesday with victory in the T53 100m at Stade de France, which made her the first non-Chinese winner of the event since her compatriot Grey-Thompson at the 2004 Athens Games.
Tears streamed from the eyes of Kinghorn, who won silvers in the T54 1500m and 800m last week. “I just can’t believe that I’ve done that. It’s honestly absolutely blowing my mind,” she said.
The Scottish Paralympian will have little time to let her achievement sink in, though, as she targets more glory in the T53 400m discipline on a busy day of athletics on Thursday.
Dan’s the man
Tokyo champion Dan Pembroke will attempt to defend his men’s J13 javelin crown on the eighth day of the Games.
Seven-time Paralympian Dan Greaves will also target a big role on day eight in the men’s F64 discus, but has debutant Harrison Walsh for company.
Funmi Oduwaiye and Anna Nicholson are primed for shot put action, while Nathan Maguire and Daniel Sidbury go head-to-head in the men’s T54 800m. Melanie Woods will eye a place on the podium in the T54 400m. Meanwhile, Olivia Breen and Maddie Down will jump for glory in the T38 long jump.
Alice aims to add to Tai-ly
Love in Paris! 🇬🇧 💛 🇺🇸 Despite being fierce rivals, @alice__tai and @JessicaLong couldn't have more praise and respect for each other after coming one-two in the final of the Women's S8 400m Freestyle. #C4Paralympics | #ParalympicGames | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/6yxqxL8yqt
— C4 Paralympics (@C4Paralympics) September 4, 2024
Alice Tai, who has been open about her struggles with mental health since claiming gold in Rio, will look to win another medal from a successful Games.
Tai clinched a gold medal in the S8 100m backstroke on Saturday and has three medals overall in Paris. And she will attempt to win another in the S8 500m freestyle final on Thursday night.
Fellow gold-medallist Faye Rogers will be in S10 400m freestyle action and Iona Winnifrith, 13, will compete in her favoured event of women’s 100m breaststroke in the SB7 class. Rebecca Redfern is also trying to win gold on the SB13 women’s 100m breaststroke.
Olivia’s got the power
Tokyo gold-medalist Olivia Broome gets the chance to defend her women’s powerlifting -50kg title on day eight.
Charlotte McGuinness and Mark Swann will also be in action, making their Paralympic debuts in the women’s -55kg category and men’s -65kg competition respectively.
All eyes will be on Matt Skelhon too as he takes part in the second event of his fifth Paralympic Games, the R6 – mixed 50m rifle prone.
Coutya catches Royal’s eye
The Paralympics medal table after day seven of the Paris Games (PA Graphics)
British wheelchair fencer Coutya impressed in front of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on Wednesday at the Grand Palais with a fine display to become Paralympic foil champion.
Kinghorn made it double trouble for the British team with a new Paralympic record of 15.64 seconds in her stunning T53 100m gold success, but she will eye another place on the podium in the T53 400m discipline on day eight.
The day belonged to Dame Sarah Storey after victory in the women’s C5 time trial secured the 18th Paralympic gold of her career at Paris 2024, overcoming a 7.18 seconds deficit at the mid-race checkpoint to seal this latest success.
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