ParalympicsGB clinches first golds at Paris Games
Maskill sets world record, Kearney wins freestyle gold for ParalympicsGB
Swimmers Tully Kearney and Poppy Maskill have clinched the first two gold medals for ParalympicsGB at the Paris Games. Maskill set a new world record in the women’s S14 100m butterfly final with a time of one minute and three seconds. Maskill, making her debut, received her gold medal with beaming smiles and waves on the opening day. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated her “fantastic achievement” via Twitter.
Following Maskill’s triumph, Tully Kearney secured gold in the women’s S5 200m freestyle. Kearney, the current world record holder, had also been the fastest qualifier.
William Ellard added to Britain’s pool success by winning silver in the men’s S14 butterfly final. Ellard led at the halfway mark but was narrowly beaten by Denmark’s Alexander Hillhouse, with Brazil’s Gabriel Bandeira taking bronze.
IT'S GOLD FOR POPPY MASKILL
A new World Record and a massive PB! Our first gold medal of these games in the 100m butterfly S14.
Yes, Poppy!#ParalympicsGB🥇 pic.twitter.com/IhA2gKKROb
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) August 29, 2024
The first medal for ParalympicsGB came from the velodrome, where cyclist Daphne Schrager took silver in the C1-3 3000m individual pursuit. Schrager was beaten by China’s Xiaomei Wang, who set a world record in the final. Tandem pair Steve Bate and Chris Latham also won silver in the men’s B 4000m individual pursuit.
Earlier, British cyclist and defending champion Kadeena Cox withdrew from the women’s C4-5 500m time trial. Cox, second fastest in qualifying, fell at the first corner of her medal race after a slow start. She was denied a restart as the fall was not due to a mechanical fault and continued to receive treatment on the track. Cox, a world record holder, had aimed to be Great Britain’s first medallist of the games following her successes in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. She is set to race again on Sunday to defend the C1-5 mixed team sprint title.
British archer Jodie Grinham, who is 28 weeks pregnant, spent two days in a Paris maternity ward fearing early labour before shooting a personal best at the Paralympics. Grinham, 31, went to the hospital after her unborn child stopped moving but later confirmed her baby is “perfectly healthy”. She scored 693 to rank fourth in the women’s compound event on Thursday.
In table tennis, Bly Twomey and Fliss Pickard secured bronze for Great Britain. As of 10.15pm, the Great Britain team stood second in the medals table, behind China.
What Other Media Are Saying
- BBC Sport highlights the latest football news, including transfer updates, team performances, and player retirements, emphasizing the chaos and controversies in the sport.(read more)
- BBC Sport reports that Poppy Maskill, a 19-year-old swimmer from Cheshire, made history by securing Great Britain’s first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, setting a new world record in the women’s S14 100m butterfly event.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who won the first gold medals for ParalympicsGB at the Paris Games?
Tully Kearney and Poppy Maskill.
What record did Poppy Maskill break at the Paris Games?
The women’s S14 100m butterfly world record.
Which British cyclist had to withdraw due to a fall in the velodrome?
Kadeena Cox.
What happened to British archer Jodie Grinham before her event?
She went to a maternity ward fearing early labor.
How did Great Britain rank in the medals table as of 10.15pm?
Second position behind China.
