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Quadruple amputee Ellie Challis wins gold in women’s 50m backstroke amid more GB success
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Ellie Challis, the quadruple amputee with no hands or feet who was inspired to swim by a dolphin with a prosthetic tail, raced to her first Paralympic gold medal last night in the women’s S3 50m backstroke.
This was Great Britain’s 27th gold medal of these Games, with Louise Fiddes claiming another podium-topping moment soon afterwards in the women’s SB14 100m breaststroke final. Challis dominated, in a time of 53:56, almost five seconds ahead of Zoia Shchurova.
Challis, the 20 year old from Essex, who has become an ambassador for meningitis awareness, said: “I was very confident that I could do better than this morning and a PB was all I could ask for whether that got me first, second or third then that’s what it was. But wow that was a good swim.”
Having competed as a 17-year-old in Tokyo, she added: “Para sport is so different – we have people drop in and out of our classifications all the time and you never know what the year is going to hold. I went to the worlds in 2019 and since then I’ve just gone up and up and up.
A personal best and a British record swim.
Ellie Challis is a Paralympic champion 🥇#C4Paralympics | #ParalympicGames | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/PgUhiRsdF8— C4 Paralympics (@C4Paralympics) September 2, 2024
“It’s been the most incredible day ever. I was so confident in myself but it’s a swimming race anything can happen. But wow that was fun. My family are just up there. I just want to say a big thank you to my dad, my sisters and my coach Aled as I couldn’t have done it without them.
“Since working with Aled two years ago I’ve improved so much. He gives me so much confidence in my swimming and I really couldn’t have done it without him, either at the worlds two years ago or today. I’ve got one day left and we’ll see what happens tomorrow but this is a full dream come true and tomorrow is just about enjoying every moment and taking it all in and whatever happens, happens.”
The life story of Challis is nothing short of inspirational. She was 16 months old when she contracted meningitis and was given a five percent chance of survival, resulting in the amputation of her four limbs. Aged 8, she began swimming at the Colchester Phoenix swimming club, motivated by watching a film about a dolphin named Winter, whose tail was amputated after getting caught in a crab trap. Nothing has held Challis back, including being a talented snowboarder, who dreams of becoming a baker. Perhaps The Great British Bake Off now awaits golden’ Challis.
Elsewhere, in boccia, Stephen McGuire defeated Colombian Edilson Chica Chica 8-5, in a sublime display in the gold medal match of the men’s individual BC4.
Jodie Grinham, seven months pregnant, and Nathan MacQueen took the gold in the Mixed Team Compound Archery, beating Iran 155-151, with two tens from the final two arrows.
Challis wins gold on another successful day for Great Britain: As it happened
08:41 PM BST
Both Brits out in heat two
Disaster for Great Britain as both David Weir and Daniel Sidbury are knocked out. Weir finishes sixth and Sidbury seventh, meaning both miss out on the top five and will not be in the final with Nathan Maguire. Weir got trapped in a little bit and will be disappointed with his tactics in that race.
08:33 PM BST
McKibbin through in table tennis
The final game goes to Aaron McKibbin and he has beaten Slovakian Richard Csejtey 11-8 7-11 13-11 9-11 11-8 to book his place in the quarter-finals, which take place on Wednesday.
08:31 PM BST
Maguire through in men’s 1500m T54
In heat one Great Britain’s Nathan Maguire finishes third and comfortably progresses through to the final. Six-time paralympic gold medalist Marcel Hug was at the back and in a spot of bother, but just managed to get into the final, finishing fifth in the final qualification process.
David Weir and Daniel Sidbury up in heat two.
08:23 PM BST
All to play for in the table tennis
Aaron McKibbin was just one game away from victory but Slovakia’s Richard Czejtey has responded to win game four to take it to a deciding game.
08:20 PM BST
Men’s 1500m T54 round one
David Weir goes for Great Britain in heat two alongside Daniel Sidbury. Nathan Maguire is in heat one, which gets under way in five minutes.
08:18 PM BST
McKibbin in control
After losing game two, Aaron McKibbin has bounced back to win game three to take a 2-1 lead. Win game four and he will book his place in the quarter-finals.
08:03 PM BST
Para table tennis
Great Britain’s Aaron McKibbin is in action in the round of 16 against Slovakia’s Richard Csejtey. McKibbin is one game up.
07:59 PM BST
Wheelchair basketball
Great Britain have made it three wins from three against hosts France, winning 85-50.
07:55 PM BST
Petrillo out
Iran’s Hagar Safarzadeh Ghahderijani leads out from the front and takes the semi-final in 56.07. Venezuela’s Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez runs a personal best to come home in second. Valentina Petrillo finishes in third and will not make the final.
07:47 PM BST
Petrillo up next
The world and paralympic record holder Omara Durand Elias wins the first semi-final comfortably in 54.77.
Valentina Petrillo is up in the second semi-final.
07:44 PM BST
Women’s 400m T12 semi-finals
Valentina Petrillo is up in the second semi-final.
Two-time paralympic gold medalist Libby Clegg has said on Channel 4 that if she were competing in this event alongside Petrillo, she probably would not feel like it was a level playing field.
07:34 PM BST
JK Rowling on X
Transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo is in semi-final two of the women’s 400m T12 semi-finals at 19.43 BST. JK Rowling, who is very vocal on the transgender topic, has expressed her view on Petrillo:
Why all the anger about the inspirational Petrillo? The cheat community has never had this kind of visibility! Out and proud cheats like Petrillo prove the era of cheat-shaming is over. What a role model! I say we give Lance Armstrong his medals back and move on. #Cheats #NoShame pic.twitter.com/bvqhs3DexI
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 2, 2024
07:32 PM BST
Alfie Hewett speaking after beating Japan’s Daisuke Arai
“Relief probably. I haven’t really played a lot against him in recent years so a little bit of a ‘learning on the job’ sort of match. He was taking my serve really early and punishing it so it put a lot of stress on me. I think I can give myself a lot of credit on how I coped with that. I saved four set points in that first set and was a lot more in control in the second so happy with that.”
07:29 PM BST
Wheelchair basketball
They have reached the end of quarter three over at Bercy Arena and Great Britain lead the hosts France 61-42.
07:23 PM BST
Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen speaking to Channel 4 after their gold
Nathan Macqueen:
“It’s pure relief. This is my third Games and I hadn’t medaled. We are both parents now and there is a lot of sacrifice being a high-performance athlete, being away from your children. They are the hardest bits but this has made it all worth it, I can give my wee boy a medal.”
Jodie Grinham:
“It has been eight years in the making. We have trained hard, we knew we could do it. We have been through it, we’ve supported each other and we’ve had amazing support from ArcheryGB and our coaches. We get the joy of being able to come out here and smash it together.”
07:19 PM BST
Jonnie Peacock speaking to Channel 4
“I smashed the first bit, I’m so frustrated. I did exactly what I wanted to do to about 50m. It’s race practice.
“I was proud of the 60m and I’m proud (Costa Rica’s Sherman Guity) Guity won. It’s frustrating but 2017 Jonnie would have wiped the floor with them. That’s the guy I need to find, he was there for about 50m today - but the last 40 I’m disappointed.”
On his preparation:
“It’s been a tough year. To be completely honest, for five years now I have struggled to find my form. This year the was the first I time found it again.
“I don’t want to say it’s come to soon - I said that three years ago. This year it’s on me. We still have the relay - hopefully we’re not coming back empty handed.”
06:59 PM BST
Wheelchair basketball
Great Britain lead hosts France 37-27 at half-time as they look to make it three wins from three.
06:56 PM BST
Disappointment for Shilton
Over in the men’s singles table tennis Billy Shilton has been beaten by Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri 3-1. Aaron McKibbin is up later against Slovakia’s Richard Csejtey.
06:54 PM BST
Peacock misses out on medal
He got a great start but faded as the race wore on. He finishes in fifth as Costa Rica’s Sherman Isidro Guity Guity takes the gold with a paralympic record of 10.65. Italy’s Maxcel Amo Manu takes silver, Germany’s Felix Strong the bronze.
06:50 PM BST
Men’s 100m T64 final
Great Britain’s Jonnie Peacock goes in lane two. He won gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 before taking bronze at Tokyo 2020. Can he add another medal to his collection?
06:43 PM BST
Gold for Great Britain
They have done it! Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen take the gold, beating Iran 155-151. What a way to do it with two tens from the final two arrows. Remember Grinham is seven months pregnant.
06:39 PM BST
GB take small lead into final end
Both teams experience some nerves during that end as Nori and MacQueen both register eights, Nori doing it twice. Great Britain therefore take a two-point lead into the final end as they lead 115-113. How are your nerves?
06:34 PM BST
Iran fight back
Roles are reversed in the second end as Iran take it by the same margin as Great Britain won the first, meaning we are all square at 77-77 at the halfway stage.
06:32 PM BST
Great Britain hit the front
As you would expect in a final, it is tight but GB have edged in front after the first end 39-38 against Iran.
06:27 PM BST
Para archery final
Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen are going for gold against the Iranian pair of Fatemeh Hemmati and Hadi Nori. India beat Italy to take the bronze just a few moments ago.
06:20 PM BST
GB in action
Billy Shilton is under way against Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri in the last 16 of the men’s table tennis singles.
Great Britain are looking to make it three wins from three in the men’s wheelchair basketball as they take on the hosts France.
Coming up at 18.25 BST Great Britain go for gold in the mixed team archery against Iran.
06:10 PM BST
Busy period for Great Britain
A number of events to keep an eye out for over the next hour, with Billy Shilton is the last 16 of the men’s table tennis singles, the wheelchair basketball team in action as well as two gold medal chances in the mixed team archery and men’s 100m T64 final.
06:00 PM BST
Still to come tonight
Plenty of action to get stuck into this evening:
18:15- Para table tennis men’s singles last 16 featuring GB’s Billy Shilton
18:15- Wheelchair basketball preliminary round group A featuring Great Britain
18:25- Para Archery mixed team compound gold medal match featuring Great Britain
18:50- Athletics men’s 100m T64 final featuring GB’s Jonnie Peacock
19:45- Para table tennis men’s singles last 16 featuring GB’s Aaron McKibbin
20:10- Para badminton men’s singles gold medal match featuring GB’s Krysten Coombs
20:25- Athletics men’s 1500m T54 round one featuring GB’s David Weir, Nathan Maguire and Daniel Sidbury
05:49 PM BST
GB into para archery final
Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen have delivered a clinical performance to beat Italy to reach the mixed team compound open final, guaranteeing Great Britain a medal. They score a perfect 40 points in the final end to win 156-149, meaning they dropped just four points in the whole contest. They will take on Iran for the gold at around 18.25 BST.
05:38 PM BST
Ellie Challis speaking to Channel 4
“That was a good swim. Para sport is so different. We have people dropping in and out of our classifications all the time. I went to the Worlds and since then I’ve gone up and up.
“I have been so confident in myself - that was fun. I’ve improved so much. I’ve still have got one more day but this is a dream come true and what happens, happens.”
05:38 PM BST
Para Archery
The Great Britain duo of Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen are taking on the Italian pair of Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina in the semi-finals. GB lead 38-37 after the first of four ends. Iran have beaten India in the first semi-final.
05:35 PM BST
Hewett wins
There it is! He was in some strife in the first set but Alfie Hewett has proven why he is world number one and won so many Grand Slams. He closes out the second set to beat Japan’s Daisuke Arai 7-5 6-2 to progress through to the next round.
05:31 PM BST
Hewett closing in
Over at the Court Suzanne-Lenglen Alfie Hewett is serving for the match. Having won the first set 7-5, he is currently 5-2 up in the second against Japan’s Daisuke Arai.
05:25 PM BST
Gold for Fiddes
Fiddes does it! What an amazing swim to secure Great Britain’s 28th gold medal. She reaches the turn in second and manages to beat the Brazilian Borges Carneiro twins. Fiddes wins the gold in a time of 1:15.47, 0.55 seconds clear of Debora Borges Carneiro, who finished just ahead of her twin sister Beatriz.
05:22 PM BST
Women’s SB14 100m breaststroke final
Great Britain’s final medal hopes in the pool this evening with both Louise Fiddes and Olivia Newman-Baronius in action, in lanes six and eight respectively. SB14 is for swimmers with an intellectual disability.
05:18 PM BST
Stewart misses out on medal
No medal for Great Britain as he finishes fifth. Canada’s Nicholas Bennett takes the gold as Australia’s Jake Michel wins silver. The defending champion and world record holder Naohide Yamaguchi has to settle for a bronze as he tired up on the second 50.
05:15 PM BST
Men’s SB14 100m breaststroke final
Harry Stewart is up for Great Britain in lane two. Can he get a medal like Ellie Challis has just done?
05:11 PM BST
Challis wins gold
Talk about an emphatic performance in a final! Ellie Challis takes Great Britain’s 27th gold medal in a time of 53:56, finishing nearly five seconds ahead of Zoia Shchurova. Spain’s Marta Fernandez Infante takes the bronze medal. Dominant from 20-year-old Challis.
05:08 PM BST
Para Swimming
Time to turn our attention to La Défense Arena as Great Britain go off in three finals in the next 15 minutes. First up is Ellie Challis in the women’s 50m backstroke final.
05:04 PM BST
Great Britain through to semi-finals
Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen take a comfortable 150-141 win over Australia to advance to the semi-finals, joining Iran, India and Italy. Those semi-finals are coming up very shortly.
04:57 PM BST
Hewett takes first set
Over at Court Suzanne-Lenglen after numerous break and set points, GB’s Alfie Hewett has found a way to win the first set 7-5. That is a monumental effort from Hewett after it looked on numerous ocassions like he was going to lose the first set.
04:56 PM BST
GB in command
Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen have made a great start to their quarter-final against Australia. They lead 76-72 at the halfway stage.
04:48 PM BST
Para Archery
The action keeps coming as Great Britain are involved in the mixed team compound quarter-finals against Australia. GB’s Jodie Grinham, who is seven months pregnant, and Nathan MacQueen take on Australia’s Ameera Lee and Jonathon Milne.
04:46 PM BST
Wheelchair tennis
Just as it looked like Alfie Hewett was about to lose the first set to Japan’s Daisuke Arai, who had three set points, he digs deep and wins the game to make it 5-5. How did he do that?
04:41 PM BST
McGuire wins gold
Great Britain take the gold medal after a terrific gold medal match performance from Stephen McGuire to beat Colombian Edilson Chica Chica 8-5. A sublime display when it mattered most. That is Great Britain’s 26th gold medal.
04:31 PM BST
McGuire in command
After plenty of mistakes from Chica Chica in the third end, Stephen McGuire takes advantage with a terrific penultimate end as he wins that third end 5-0 to take an emphatic 8-3 lead going into the final end. He has one hand on the gold medal.
04:22 PM BST
Chica Chica bounces back
Stephen McGuire may have taken the first end 3-0 but the Colombian has responded in emphatic style, winning the second end by the same score to bring the match level at 3-3 halfway through the match. Game well and truly back on.
04:11 PM BST
Advantage McGuire
I do not think he could have dreamt of a better start in this gold medal match. He leads 3-0 after the first of four ends against Colombian Edilson Chica Chica after a clinical first end that nearly saw him take a 4-0 lead.
04:10 PM BST
Wheelchair tennis
World number one Alfie Hewett finds himself trailing 3-2 in the first set against Japan’s Daisuke Arai. Hewett has just ripped off some tape that was on his shoulder so is he struggling with a small injury? Time will tell.
03:59 PM BST
Boccia
Stephen McGuire is going for gold against Colombia’s Edilson Chica Chica. Can he win Great Britain’s third gold of the day?
03:36 PM BST
Boccia
At 16.00 BST, GB’s Stephen McGuire is in action in the gold medal match against Colombia’s Edilson Chica Chica in the men’s individual BC4. In boccia, one side has six red balls and the other six blue balls. The aim is to get your balls closer to the white target ball, the ‘jack’, than your opponent.
Here are the rules:
A match consists of a set number of ends, four in Individual and Pairs events and six in the Team game. Once all ends have been played the side with the highest score is the winner.
Boccia is played indoor on a court similar in size to badminton. Players are positioned at one end in throwing boxes and can throw the jack anywhere on court over the ‘V’ line.
The balls are made of leather and are filled with plastic granules so they do not bounce and are easy to grip.
The bronze medal went to Ukraine’s Artem Kolinko, who beat Croatia’s Davor Komar.
03:26 PM BST
Wheelchair tennis
World number one Alfie Hewett is just about to start his third round match against Japan’s Daisuke Arai on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Hewitt, who has won 30 Grand Slam title across singles and doubles in his career, is ranked number one, with his opponent Arai number 16.
03:16 PM BST
Medals so far for Great Britain today
Gold- Dave Ellis (Para Triathlon Men’s PTVI), Megan Richter (Para Triathlon Women’s PTS4)
Silver- Daniel Bethell (Para Badminton, Men’s Singles SL3), Claire Cashmore (Para Triathlon Women’s PTS5)
Bronze- Lauren Steadman (Para Triathlon Women’s PTS5), Hannah Moore (Para Triathlon Women’s PTS4)
03:10 PM BST
Women’s 1500m T54 Round One
There has been good news for Great Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper, who has been advanced to the next round by the referee after being impeded during the race. She joins Melanie Woods and Samantha Kinghorn in the final.
02:54 PM BST
Medal ceremony in the Women’s PTS4 Para Triathlon
02:48 PM BST
Upcoming events
Here are some of the events to keep an eye out for in the next few hours from Great Britain (all times BST):
16:00- Boccia BC4 Gold Medal Match featuring GB’s Stephen McGuire
16:50- Para Archery Mixed Team Compound Open Quarter-Final featuring GB
17:05- Women’s 50m Backstroke S3 Final featuring GB’s Ellie Challis
17:13- Men’s 100m Backstroke SB14 Final featuring GB’s Harry Stewart
17:19- Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB14 Final featuring GB’s Olivia Newman-Baronius and Louise Fiddes
01:59 PM BST
Great Britain beaten by Australia in wheelchair rugby
The hooter sounds at the Champ-de-Mars Arena and Australia secure 50-48 victory over Great Britain in the bronze medal match.
It was a close and fiery game, with Great Britain – of course the defending champions from Tokyo going home empty handed.
01:54 PM BST
Gareth catches up with Paralympic champion Richter
Shock gold of the triathlon, and maybe of the Games for GB with Megan Richter, 23, who has been a Paralympian for 10 years, winning gold on debut in triathlon in the womens’ PTS4 event. “I am truly shocked,” she told me. “It really is a dream come true. It’s all I dreamt of since being a little girl. I was inspired by people like Ellie Simmonds.”
On to LA, she says, and likes the sound of defending Paralympic champion under the Hollywood sign. Brilliant day for GB here – two gold, one silver, two bronze medals.
01:51 PM BST
Wheelchair rugby update
Australia are closing in on a bronze medal at the Champ-de-Mars Arena after moving two tries ahead of Great Britain.
01:47 PM BST
Reaction from Megan Richter who won gold in the women’s PTS4 triathlon
I can’t believe that happened, I’m in complete shock. Hopefully it will sink in over the next few hours. I’ve worked so hard and so many people have put so much into this.
I just want to say a massive thank you to so many people. My parents, my dad, who built my bike for me. My lovely boyfriend for training with me.
Everyone at the University of Birmingham who have supported me, my gym coach, everyone at British Triathlon and thank you to everyone who has helped me get here.
I had a plan to go quick on the run and that’s what I did. It was so hot, I could feel my legs starting to go but I knew I needed to get to the end.
I was out with a stress fracture last year but I went all in, full time this year and races started going well. Things just came together and I’m so happy, the timing has been perfect.
An incredible gold and bronze finish for @paralympicsgb in the para-triathlon!
Bravo Megan Richter and Hannah Moore. 👏👏#C4Paralympics | #ParalympicGames | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/i6WH9hvFxr— C4 Paralympics (@C4Paralympics) September 2, 2024
01:46 PM BST
Day five headlines so far
It has been a busy morning for Paralympics GB at Paris 2024.
Para-triathlon gold medals for Dave Ellis and Megan Richter.
Lauren Steadman, Claire Cashmore and Hannah Moore also claim para-triathlon medals.
Daniel Bethell takes silver in badminton final after being unable to convert match point for gold.
01:43 PM BST
Wheelchair rugby update
This one is so tight! Australia have just edged ahead 39-37 lead. Great Britain need to something impressive to turn this game around!
Are we going to see a fightback?
01:28 PM BST
Wheelchair rugby update
Meanwhile, at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, Great Britain has just levelled the bronze medal match with Australia at 31-31.
01:18 PM BST
Claire Cashmore and Lauren Steadman speak
Steadman was unable to defend her PTS5 para-triathlon title from Tokyo but still got a podium spot by claiming bronze in Paris.
She finished one place behind GB compatriot and former schoolmate Cashmore.
Claire Cashmore:
I’m feeling pretty good. Quite emotion today to see my parents and hearing that Dave (Ellis, her partner) also won. I’m really happy.
Lauren Steadman:
It literally took everything I had to be her today. I know it is a bronze but it means as much as a gold because of what it took to get here.
19 months ago I wasn’t here. I stood down and I didn’t think I had it in me.
It takes everything to be your best version and to fly the flag. I’m at my limit. I wasn’t sure I was going to finish.
Cashmore:
I felt a lot of pressure in coming in this time. It means so much. That relief when you cross that finish line.
01:12 PM BST
ParalympicsGB’s Dan Bethell on ‘devastating’ loss in badminton final
It feels devastating, I came here for that gold,” he said. “I got the silver in Tokyo and it was my ambition from the start to go one better but I just couldn’t get it over the line today.
The main game plan was that discipline is everything. Half court singles is the marathon event of Paralympic para-badminton as there isn’t a lot of room to hit winning shots so that was the key thing.
My coaches, credit to them, recognised that straight away and were telling me the whole way through but I couldn’t execute it the way I needed to.
He added: “I never like losing, particularly in a Paralympics when I’ve already gone through losing a Paralympic final. But I’ve got to take some pride at getting through to the final as a lot of athletes dream of it and to get on that podium. But at the moment I’m just completely devastated that I’ll be on the second step.
01:10 PM BST
Gold medal for GB’s Megan Richter
Another gold for Great Britain! Megan Richter delivers in the women’s PTS4 triathlon.
She gave everything on the course and finished with a time of 1:14:30.
Spain’s Marta Frances Gomez takes silver and GB’s Hannah Moore took a phenomenal bronze with 1:16:01.
01:07 PM BST
Wheelchair rugby update
Great Britain and Australia are battling it out for the bronze medal at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.
The first period ended 11-11 between the two teams, with GB looking far more composed than in their semi-final contest with the United States yesterday.
At half-time – there is nothing to separate these two sides – with the score at 22-22.
12:52 PM BST
More triathlon medals for ParalympicsGB
Claire Cashmore took silver in the women’s PTS5 para-triathlon a short while ago. America’s Grace Norman was simply too strong and took gold in 1:04:40.
Taking the bronze medal, was fellow GB compatriot Lauren Steadman, who finished 50 seconds behind Cashmore.
The staggering photogenic nature of this course ... little wonder there are so many photographers at para triathlon....
More GB medals now - Lauren Steadman bronze and Claire Cashmore with silver in womens PTS5 event. pic.twitter.com/zolemlMCLP— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) September 2, 2024
12:44 PM BST
Gareth speaks with Dave Ellis and Luke Pollard
Just spoken with GB’s Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard, funny moment when Pollard said Ellis elbowed him in the face 40m into the swim.
They are both elated at the result, especially after the mechanical failure on the bike in Tokyo. “I’ve worked for 3 years on that bike making it bullet-proof,” explained Pollard, formerly in logistics in the RAF at Brize Norton. Good to see Penny Briscoe here celebrating more GB success.
12:40 PM BST
Silver medal for GB’s Dan Bethell
What a thrilling match! Dan Bethwell was just one point away from gold in the SL3 badminton final but ended up losing to India’s Kumar Nitesh.
Nitesh claimed the deciding set 23-21 as he beat Bethell for the first time in his career. He had won the first set 21-14 but the Briton equalised by taking the second set 21-18.
There is still another chance for a first para-badminton gold medal, as Krysten Coombs goes in the final of the men’s SH6 singles.
An agonising defeat for Dan Bethell in the Men's SL3 Singles final, but he takes silver 🥈
We're all so proud of you, Dan 💙
#C4Paralympics | #ParalympicGames | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/cgImZZSDSe— C4 Paralympics (@C4Paralympics) September 2, 2024
12:32 PM BST
Dave Ellis reacts after winning para-triathlon gold
It’s absolutely unreal.
Obviously Tokyo was the opposite [where his bike had a mechanical issue meaning he did not finish] but it’s been a tough couple of years so I’m so happy I had an awesome race today.
You only get a couple of chances in your career to do a Paralympics which makes it a lot more nervous.
You just want to do it on the day. But it also makes it so special when you pull it off. There’s a little bit of shock in the system.
I don’t know when it will sink it. It will take a while.
12:31 PM BST
Wheelchair rugby underway
After yesterday’s defeat to the USA in the semi-final, GB’s mixed wheelchair rugby team are back in action against Australia to claim a bronze medal.
12:12 PM BST
Dan Bethell in action
In the men’s singles SL3 final, Great Britain’s Dan Bethell forces a deciding game against Nitesh Kumar. He takes the second game 21-18 with a hat-trick of points. Well, the fightback is on from the Tokyo silver medallist.
Another gold incoming for ParalympicsGB?
12:03 PM BST
GB’s Dave Ellis and Luke Pollard take gold
Dave Ellis has buried the heartbreak of Tokyo to claim para triathlon gold at Paris 2024. Ellis had gone into Tokyo as the favourite but no one had accounted for a mechanical issue on the bike that saw him unable to finish the race.
But finally, the world, European and Commonwealth champion has finally claimed Paralympic gold in the men’s PTVI. Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard finished over a minute clear of silver medallist Thibaut Rigaudeau of Frenceh with another Frenchman, Antonie Perel, taking bronze.
11:54 AM BST
Kinghorn into the T54 1500m final
ParalympicsGB Sammi Kinghorn speaking after qualifying for the women’s T54 1500m final:
It is very different for me and the first time I have raced 1500m on the big stage.
There were a few times I was brushing arms with some other athletes, and I was like ‘this is very new’.
I hoped the race would go smoothly and there would be a kick in the last 200m, and that’s exactly what I did. I feel good going into the final.
Kinghorn, who took silver in the T53 800m on Sunday, added:
I am feeling the five hours sleep in the bags of my eyes. I am glad I have got a full day to recover.
I had to just put my medal down and lock it away. It’s a bit of shame I can’t go away and celebrate my first medal with my family, but I still have more medals to aim for.
11:53 AM BST
Gareth speaks to Penny Briscoe
Just had catch up at triathlon w/ @pennybriscoe chef de mission for @ParalympicsGB here @Paralympics @Paris2024
Team performing on course to expectation of 100 to 140 medals but long-standing team leadee believes 12 gold medal day yesterday will not be matched any time soon pic.twitter.com/CPdcKfiSyZ— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) September 2, 2024
11:44 AM BST
GB’s Bethell loses first set
Huge shock in the SL3 badminton as Dan Bethell loses the first set 14-21 to India’s Kumar Nitesh in the gold medal match. A flurry of points for the Indian after trailing 11-13 earlier. Bethell has been unstoppable at these Games so far, but finds himself in real trouble.
Can he find his form here to upgrade his Tokyo silver to gold in Paris?
The SL3 classification is for players with movement moderately affected one side of the body, both legs, or the absence of limbs. They play standing on a half-width court and have reduced court movement but full range of shots.
11:27 AM BST
GB’s Ellis and Pollard take the lead...
Onto lap one on the bikes and GB’s Dave Ellis is leading the way, with Satoru Yoneoka having been deposed from the head of the race.
11:17 AM BST
Para triathlon update
GB’s Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard have completed the swim leg in 4th, some 18 seconds down on leader Satoru Yoneoka.
10:44 AM BST
Lauren Parker achieves Paralympic redemption
Australia’s Lauren Parker has buried the pain of her Tokyo heartache, completing Paralympic redemption by sealing a gold medal in a dominant PTWC triathlon win.
Parker had to settle for silver in Japan three years ago after losing to American Kendall Gretsch by just one second.
Parker cruised through the opening leg of the triathlon, a 750m swim through the Seine, to establish an early lead of 52 seconds.
Gretsch moved up into second during the five-lap 20km hand cycle leg, gradually chasing down Parker across the Parisian cobbles.
However, Parker was in no mood to let up as she crossed Pont Alexandre III, bursting into tears as she crossed the finish line.
10:36 AM BST
Gareth catches up with GB’s Urand
Just chatted to Henry Urand who finished fourth – alas – in the Men’s PTS3 and was disappointed to finish outside the podium but made up from 8th position in the last leg of the three disciplines.
Loved the venue. “Didn’t mind the delay to the event, it actually helped me, and never thought I’d say I raced down the Champs Elysee in a Paralympics. Friends and family were here too. Swallowed a bit of Seine water, I’ve tasted worse, and it wasn’t bitty.”
Urand added: “As a Formula 1 fan I wouldn’t have minded if we had had the event in Monaco, given the delays, but the setting was amazing. The cobbles were hard work on the bike, but overall great learning experience. It’s on to Los Angeles and Brisbane for me now hopefully.”
10:26 AM BST
Heartbreak for GB
Great Britain’s Henry Urand narrowly missed out on the podium in the men’s individual PTS3 triathlon this morning, finishing a minute behind bronze medallist Nico Van Der Burgt of the Netherlands.
The 21-year-old did para cycling at a national level before the making the switch to international para traithlons in 2023.
Daniel Molina of Spain won gold in 1:08.05 and Germany’s Max Gelhaar took silver in 1:08.05.
10:19 AM BST
Petrillo through to T12 400m semi-final
The final heat in the women’s T12 400m is underway with the first openly transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo in action. The Italian sprinter started strongly out of the blocks but Alexandra Paola Perez of Venezeala closed in on Petrillo around the final bend.
Perez decimated the heat and cruised into the semi-final with a time 56.97. Meanwhile, Petrillo finished second in her heat and progressed as the sixth fastest runner, in time of 58.35, just outside of a season best.
The Italian has qualified for this evening’s semi-finals in the women’s 400m T12.
10:09 AM BST
Gareth on para-triathlon duty
Para triathlon has never enjoyed such a backdrop. Finally after the unsavoury water in the River Seine, this Monday morning race with very good spectator attendance – and many bemused Parisians being held up crossing squares on the way to work...
I’ll be speaking to our GB athletes throughout here.
Here at this staggeringly picturesque para triathlon course... I will be counting our @ParalympicsGB athletes in and out of the event today...@Paralympics @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/u8OzAccfyA
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) September 2, 2024
09:48 AM BST
Transgender athlete in action
An Italian sprinter will be the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympics later today.
Valentina Petrillo, 50, who transitioned in 2019, is a visually impaired runner and competes in the T12 200m and 400m sprints.
The 51-year-old previously won 11 national titles in the men’s category and her participation has caused controversy
Petrillo says she has learnt to deal with “jealousy” and has “nothing to fear” after concerns about her inclusion were raised by fellow athletes, including rival T12 runner Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt.
“Honestly, I can’t wait to be in Paris and race on that beautiful purple track and in front of all that enthusiastic crowd,” Petrillo said. “I think there will be a lot more love for me than I can imagine.
“It’s only fair that each of us can express ourselves in our own gender. Sport should teach us the value of inclusion and this is fundamental for people’s happiness.”
09:41 AM BST
More medal chances produced in the swimming
Ellie Challis coasts into the final of the S3 women’s 50m backstroke with an incredible time of 53.86.
Challis was Britian’s youngest medallist at the Tokyo Games when she won silver in the S3 50m backstroke aged 17 and she will hope to go one better in the final which takes place at 17:05 BST.
09:24 AM BST
GB targeting medal glory in wheelchair rugby
Great Britain’s men’s wheelchair rugby team will be targeting a bronze medal from 12.30pm as they face Australia.
GB lost to the USA in the semi-finals on Sunday, beaten 50-40. Australia lost to Japan 52-51 in a thrilling contest. The semi-final match up was a repeat of the bronze-medal match at Tokyo 2020 in which Japan triumphed 60-52.
09:14 AM BST
Para triathlon is underway
Para triathlon has kicked off this morning after they were postponed by 24 hours because of poor water quality in the River Seine.
All 11 races had been due to take on Sunday but heavy rain in Paris caused water quality in the Seine to drop.
There will be about 120 athletes competing over a three-part course featuring a 750m swim in the River Seine and a 20km cycle down the famous Champ-Elysees, the Avenue Montaigne and Pont des Invalides. Athletes will then embark on a 5km run to the Quai d’Orsay before returning to Pont Alexandre.
Great Britain has 11 athletes competing across seven of the triathlon events at the Games. These include reigning PTS5 women’s champion Lauren Steadman, who looks to defend her title against team-mate Claire Cashmore.
Dave Ellis will look to finally win a Paralympic gold in the men’s PTVI, while Alison Peasgood will try to go one better in the women’s PTVI.
08:58 AM BST
One to watch: Louise Fiddes
Fiddes will be targeting her second medal of the Paralympics – her first gold medal when she competes in the women’s SB14 100m breaststroke, an event in which she took silver in Tokyo 2020.
The 23-year-old has already earned bronze in the S14 200m freestyle and will be joined by GB compatriot Olivia Newman- Baronius as qualifying gets underway this morning ahead of the final which takes place in the evening.
08:44 AM BST
A look at the medal table
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Great Britain sit second in the table at the end of day four after a record breaking day at the Games. Great Britain celebrated their most successful day at the Paralympics this century with a 12 gold medals on a record-breaking super Sunday at Paris 2024.
Hannah Cockcroft won her fourth successive women’s T34 100m title to clinch GB’s first para-atheltics gold, ahead of team-mate Kare Adenegan before Sabrina Fortune produced a world record to win the women’s F20 shot put title at the Stade de France.
Three golds were won in the velodrome, as James Ball was victorious men’s B 1000m time trail gold, Sophie Urwin won in the women’s B 3000m individual pursuit, and there was open team sprint gold for Jody Cundy, Jaco van Gass and Kadeena Cox.
08:33 AM BST
What to watch on day five
Here are some events to keep an eye out for on day five:
You can find our full rundown here.
Para swimming
5:05pm-5:27pm: women’s 50m backstroke, S3 final; and men’s and women’s 100m breaststroke, SB14 final
More medals up for grabs for Paralympics GB this evening, with Ellie Challis and Harry Stewart hoping to secure a place on the podium on the backstroke and breaststroke finals
Para athletics
7:44pm-8:15pm: women’s 400m, T12 round 1
Valentina Petrillo, the Paralympics’ first openly transgender runner, begins her Games campaign on Monday morning. Amid ongoing rows and controversy over her participation, there is sure to be interest in Petrillo’s first appearance on the track.
08:21 AM BST
Jonnie Peacock will go for gold
Good morning and welcome to today’s live coverage of the day five of the 2024 Paris Paralympic games. After a record-breaking day four of the Games in Paris, more British athletes will try and claim golds today, with Jonnie Peacock one of the several stars in action.
ParalympicsGB were able to celebrate 12 golds on Sunday, which was a new record for the most champions in a single day and bettered the previous high of nine in both Rio and Beijing.
Two-time Paralympic champion Peacock will go for gold in the men’s T64 100m final on Monday after he finished third in qualifying at the end of a joyful day four for Great Britain.
“I feel like I’m slowly getting there,” Peacock reflected, having claimed bronze in Tokyo three years ago.
“It is going to be a fight and I just have to try and get there.”
David Weir will also be in athletics action today in the men’s T54 1500m.
Meanwhile, it will be take two for Lauren Steadman after the triathlon was pushed back a day on Sunday due to more water quality issues in the river Seine.
Steadman will compete in the women’s PTS5 classification and aim to defend her 2020 Paralympics crown, but will have bronze medallist and ParalympicsGB compatriot Claire Cashmore for company.
The world, European and Commonwealth champion Dave Ellis will look to finally claim Paralympic gold in the men’s PTVI, while Rio 2016 silver medallist Alison Peasgood will try to go one better in the women’s PTVI.
There’s something for everyone today, with swimmer Louise Fiddes targeting gold in the S14 200m freestyle and more gold medal opportunities awaits ParalympicsGB in the badminton. Dan Bethell and Krysten Coombs will go for gold after they won their respective semi-finals.
