ParalympicsGB Eyes More Gold in Paris as Medal Hopes Rise Across Sports

ParalympicsGB is looking to build on a strong start as the action continues in Paris, with day three promising serious medal opportunities for Great Britain’s athletes. After golden moments in swimming and cycling on Friday, hopes are high for more success in the pool, the velodrome, and at the Stade de France, as well as in taekwondo and archery.

Alice Tai, a standout in British Paralympics, will be a favourite in the S8 100m backstroke, aiming for her first individual gold after missing Tokyo due to injury and undergoing a below-the-knee amputation in the intervening years. Stephen Clegg, fresh from winning the world title in the S12 100m backstroke last year, is determined to better his Tokyo bronze. Poppy Maskill, already a gold medallist in Paris, aims to add another in the S14 200m freestyle, competing alongside teammates Olivia Newman Baronius and Louise Fiddes. The youngest athlete on the team, 13-year-old Iona Winnifrith, will compete in the women’s SM7 200m individual medley.

Over at the velodrome, world champion Archie Atkinson will be pursuing more success in the C4 4,000m individual pursuit, while Jaco Van Gass looks to claim his second gold of the Games in the men’s C1-3 1,000m time trial. Both athletes have already contributed to ParalympicsGB’s impressive medal tally and will be ones to watch as they take to the track.

The track at Stade de France will see sprint stars Thomas Young and Sophie Hahn defending their titles in the T38 100m, while David Weir makes his much-anticipated return in the T54 5,000m. Meanwhile, British hopes are also pinned on para-archers Phoebe Paterson Pine, the defending champion in the women’s compound, and Jodie Grinham, along with Victoria Kingstone in the women’s W1 category. In taekwondo, Amy Truesdale and Matt Bush are set to make their mark at the Grand Palais.

Friday’s events were highlighted by Tully Kearney’s remarkable double in the pool, retaining her S5 200m freestyle and 100m crowns with a dominant performance. Maisie Summers-Newton also continued her reign by defending her SM6 200m individual medley title, and she is set to defend her 100m breaststroke title on Sunday. Jaco Van Gass clinched ParalympicsGB’s first gold at the velodrome in a thrilling C3 3,000m individual pursuit final against fellow Briton Fin Graham, while Lizzi Jordan and pilot Dannielle Khan took gold in the B 1,000m time trial. Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl added a bronze to the haul, rounding off a spectacular day for British cyclists.

With an array of talent competing across various disciplines, Great Britain’s Paralympic team continues to demonstrate their prowess and determination on the international stage, keeping fans eagerly anticipating more thrilling performances.

For further insights into the impact of the Paralympics on athletes and communities, you can explore resources on International Paralympic Committee’s official site

Paralympics Medal Table (Day 3)