The Paralympic Games kicked off in fine fashion on Thursday as the action got underway at Paris 2024.
And day two was another golden day for Paralympics GB who added to their medal tally with incredible performances in the pool and on the velodrome track.
Blaine Hunt started the medal rush with a silver in the men’s C4-5 1000m time trial at the velodrome before Matt Robertson won bronze in the men’s C2 3000m individual pursuit. Jaco van Gass then defeated GB teammate Finlay Graham in the C3 3000m individual pursuit to claim ParalympicsGB’s first gold medal of the day with Graham also adding a silver.
Elizabeth Jordon and pilot Dannielle Khan were also victorious as they won Britain’s fourth gold of the Games win the women’s B 1000m time trial while Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl also won bronze.
In the pool, Tully Kearney added to the gold medley she won in the women’s S5 200m freestyle yesterday by triumphing in the 100m event this afternoon and Maisie Summers-Newton defended her title in the women’s SM6 200m medley.
Elsewhere, Zachary Shaw qualified for the final of the men’s T12 100m, while team-mate Eden Rainbow-Cooper also progressed in the women’s T54 5000m.
Follow all the action, latest results and medals from Paris 2024 in our live blog below:
Paralympics Day 2 - LIVE
- Paralympics day two underway with Britain hunting medals in the pool and velodrome
- MEDAL! Brock Whiston win silver in women’s SB8 100m breaststroke
- GOLD! Maisie Summers-Newton dominates women’s SM6 200m medley
- GOLD! Tully Kearney adds second gold medal of Paris Games
- GOLD! Lizzi Jordan and pilot Danni Khan win women’s B 1000m time trial
- GOLD! Jaco van Gass wins C3 individual pursuit ahead of GB teammate Fin Graham
- MEDAL! Blaine Hunt wins silver in C4-5 time trial
- MEDAL! Matt Robertson claims bronze in C2 individual pursuit
Maisie Summers-Newton feels the pressure but lands another gold medal
20:59
Lawrence Ostlere
British swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton was feeling the pressure of being reigning Paralympic champion before successfully defending her 200 metres individual medley title in Paris.
The 22-year-old was one of the breakout stars of Tokyo 2020 following double gold in the pool on debut.
Summers-Newton, who this summer qualified as a primary school teacher, produced another A* performance, touching the wall in two minutes 56.90 seconds in the SM6 classification.
David Weir sets up final duel with Marcel Hug in 5000m final
20:56
Lawrence Ostlere
And Weir does what he does, surging through the field on the final lap to book his place in tomorrow’s T54 500m final without burning too much energy. His battle in the final will be with Marcel Hug, and that should be a thriller.
David Weir bids for place in T54 5000m final
20:42
Lawrence Ostlere
Over to the track, where six-time gold medallist David Weir goes in the men’s 5000m T54 heats, for a place in Saturday’s final...
Rachel Choong wins opening match in badminton singles
20:25
Lawrence Ostlere
What a turnaround this is, as Great Britain’s Rachel Choong comes from one game down to beat Peru’s Rubi Milagros Fernandez Vargas in her first women’s badminton SH6 group match. Choong took the decider 21-17, and that sets her on her way to reaching the quarter-finals.
Britain up to second in medal table at Paris 2024
20:12
Lawrence Ostlere
It has been a golden day for Britain with four golds won to jump up to second in the overall medal table, behind only China, who have eight golds. Brazil and Netherlands both have four golds so far in Paris, with Italy and Australia on three each.
Rachel Choong in action in badminton group phase
19:52
Lawrence Ostlere
Back to the badminton arena where Britain’s Rachel Choong – GB’s first ever female para-badminton player – is in action. She has lost the first game of this best-of-three match to Peru’s Rubi Milagros Fernandez Vargas but this second game is tight, with Vargas leading 11-9 at the midway point.
Brock Whiston takes silver in the pool
19:35
Lawrence Ostlere
Back to the pool, where Britain’s Brock Whiston wins silver in the women’s 100m breaststroke final (SB8), beaten by favourite Spain’s Anastasiya Dmytriv Dmytriv (that is not a typo). Whiston is the world record holder but she was always going to be up against it tonight against the reigning world champion.
Jack Shephard wins badminton battle
19:29
Lawrence Ostlere
A huge roar goes up from Jack Shephard after he edges out Brazil’s Vitor Tavares in an epic battle in their SH6 group match.
Shephard wins the deciding game 21-19 after Tavares found the net. A hug from the pair, showing great respect, and Shephard then gees up the crowd. He has won two group matches now and stands a good chance of making the quarter-finals.
Brazil’s Petrucio Ferreira wins men’s 100m T47 gold
19:15
Lawrence Ostlere
A huge achievement on the track, where Brazil’s has just won gold for the third successive Games in the men’s 100m (T47). It was not dissimilar to Noah Lyles’ win in the Olympic Games earlier this month, with a late surge to pip his rivals on the line. After a long wait, confirmation of his triumph popped up on the big screen.
Sir Lee Pearson misses Paralmypics amid investigation
19:09
Lawrence Ostlere
Sir Lee Pearson was not available for Paris Paralympics selection as he had already been suspended amid an ongoing investigation into his conduct, the Press Association reports.
Pearson’s suspension was in place before a four-strong British para equestrian team was named for Paris.
Pearson - Great Britain’s third most successful Paralympian - has not competed since March 2023 and therefore was not eligible for selection.
His suspension is not connected in any way to equine welfare.
Britain knocked out in table-tennis quarter-final thriller
18:55
Lawrence Ostlere
Agony for the British duo! WillBayley and MartinPerry fought back so well to win games three and four and force a decider, which went to 9-9, but the French pair won the next two points to clinch their place in the semis. Smiles all round from the players who know they were involved in a thriller there, and the home fans are understandably going bonkers for that result.
Dutch sweep up in the pool
18:52
Lawrence Ostlere
Over at La Defense Arena, a great few minutes for Netherlands in the pool. First, Liesette Bruinsma won gold in the women’s 400m freestyle (S11), before world record holder Chantalle Zijderveld clinched gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke final (SB9). China took silver in both races.
Men’s table-tennis quarter-final
18:42
Lawrence Ostlere
Bayley and Perry have gathered some real momentum now, winning games three and four to take this epic match to a decider. The home crowd is starting to get a little nervous...
Men’s table-tennis quarter-final
18:30
Lawrence Ostlere
Britain’s Will Bayley and Martin Perry are taking on France in a boisterous atmosphere in the table-tennis arena, in the men’s MD14 doubles quarter-finals. The British duo are two games down and needing to win the remaining three to pull off a major comeback, but they are on the way here, leading 9-6 in the third and needing only two more points to pinch the third game.
Swimming tonight at Paris 2024
18:17
Lawrence Ostlere
Still to come tonight in the pool:
- Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB9 - Final
- Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB9 - Final
- Men’s 100m Backstroke S13 - Final
- Women’s 100m Backstroke S13 - Final
- Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB8 - Final
- Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB8 - Final
- Mixed 4x50m Freestyle 20pts Relay – Final
Humphrey twins finish sixth and eighth
18:02
Mike Jones
It’s a rare sight that twims compete in the same race at the highest level but that’s just what Eliza and Scarlett Humphrey are doing in Paris for ParalympicsGB.
The 19-year-old sisters raced in the women’s S11 400m freestyle final with Scarlett finishing sixth and Eliza eighth in a very strong field.
A good learning curve for the swimmers.
Success in the pool for Paralympics GB
18:00
Mike Jones
Munro reflects on Paris campaign
17:52
Mike Jones
Beth Munro got a pep talk from her family and friends after a shock loss to China’s Yao Yanin in the taekwondo quarter-final earlier today which ended her gold medal chance.
Having failed to make it through the repechage Munro addressed her time in Paris saying: “I gave them a call in between because of the element of guilt and disappointment - you feel like you’ve let people down.
“The reassurance from my mum was ‘I’m always going to be proud of you whatever happens’ and I suppose you just need to hear that from your mum sometimes.”
Asked if she would go to the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028, Munro replied: “I’ve got a good few weeks off now to go away and reflect.
“If come those five or six weeks I’ve got that burning desire, which I suppose being competitive I will, you might see me in the near future, definitely.”
Kearney winning a second gold in Paris
17:45
Mike Jones
Tully Kearney won her second gold medal in Paris in the women’s 100m freestyle and she spoke to Channel 4 afterwards saying:
“[It’s] pretty incredible. I was a bit concerned about this one. To retain my title means everything to me. It was such a late night [yesterday] and early start and not long in between to rest. It was really hard for all of us who swam last night to keep the energy up.
“This crowd is incredible. Because I am the first event tonight, there’s way more people here than there were yesterday. They gave me that big push.
“No definitely not. I’m just so grateful for the team for helping me get here and for everyone that’s helped us get here.”
Reaction from Maisie Summers-Newton:
17:36
Mike Jones
“I was really nervous. I come with a lot of self-doubt, no matter how hard we train in the pool, no matter how well I swim throughout the season.
“When I got in and I could see how close I was to some of the girls, that are usually ahead of me on the fly and on the back, I thought ‘you’re in a really good place here’.
“I just can’t believe it. It’s been such an amazing three years since Tokyo. Finishing my university degree, carrying on my swimming alongside that and now defending my Paralympic title.”
Jaco van Gass retains Paralympic title and Lizzi Jordan wins gold in velodrome
17:29
Mike Jones
Military hero Jaco van Gass won the battle of the Britons to retain his Paralympic crown before compatriot Lizzi Jordan claimed gold on her Games debut.
Afghanistan veteran Van Gass smashed his own world record en route to successfully defending the men’s C3 3000m individual pursuit title in a final showdown with Scottish silver medallist Fin Graham.
Visually-impaired world champion Jordan, who lost her eyesight after contracting a rare strain of E. coli bacteria as a university student, then topped the podium alongside pilot Danni Khan in the women’s B 1000m time trial.
Maisie Summers-Newton wins gold!
17:08
Mike Jones
That breastroke leg is insane from Maisie Summers-Newton who pulled away from her nearest rival and absolutely dominated the second half of the race.
It’s a comfortable victory for her and the Brit defends her paralympic title in this event with a time of 2:56.90!
That’s a fourth gold medal of the day for Great Britain!
Summers-Newton back in the pool
17:06
Mike Jones
Maisie Summers-Newton returns to the pool now looking to secure more medals for ParalympicsGB. British teammate Grace Harvey is also competing in this women’s SM6 200m medley.
America’s Ellie Marks is off to a strong start but Summers-Newton doesn’t let her get away.
At the halfway stage, it’s the American who has the lead by around one and a half seconds. Summers-Newton is very strong on the breaststroke though.
Munro won’t medal in Paris
17:01
Mike Jones
Taekwondo hopeful Beth Munro has been beaten 10-2 by Denmark’s Lisa Gjessing in the K44 -65kg repechage meaning she is out of the paralympics and will not win a medal.
It ends a disappointing Games for the Tokyo silver medallist.
Jaco van Gass hit by car in build-up to paralympics
16:53
Mike Jones
Jaco van Gass spoke in the mixed zone after winning the men’s C3 3000m individual pursuit and explained that he got hit by a car last week.
He said: “I had a little accident last Friday, we did a recce of the road course last week, a car pulled out in front of me and I went over the bonnet.
“We went through significant concussion protocols, I took a day off to let my body settle, then I was back on the bike.
“I was heartbroken, I literally thought this could be my Paralympics done. Other people saw me, they helped calm me down. The next day is always the hardest as the body settles down, the Saturday was very hard to kind of comprehend - would I be riding?
“By Sunday I was riding on the track again.”
Tully Kearney wins gold in women’s S5 freestyle 200m
16:45
Mike Jones
Tully Kearney is racing for the gold medal in the women’s S5 100m freestyle as she looks to defend her Paralympic crown. The Brit has already won a gold by triumphing in the women’s S5 200m freestyle on Thursday.
As the bell goes to start the race Kearney gets away from the blocks well enough but she’s second heading towards the halfway mark.
The Brit grows in confidence though and increases the speed. She flies through the final 50m and finishes in a time of 1:15.10 just ahead of close rival Iryna Poida of Ukraine.
Another gold for ParalympicsGB!
What’s happened so far on day two?
16:32
Mike Jones
Blaine Hunt started the medal rush with a silver in the men’s C4-5 1000m time trial at the velodrome before Matt Robertson won bronze in the men’s C2 3000m individual pursuit.
Jaco van Gass then defeated GB teammate Finlay Graham in the C3 3000m individual pursuit to claim ParalympicsGB’s first gold medal of the day with Graham also adding a silver.
Elizabeth Jordon and pilot Dannielle Khan were also victorious as they won Britain’s fourth gold of the Games win the women’s B 1000m time trial while Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl also won bronz.e
Elsewhere, Zachary Shaw qualified for the final of the men’s T12 100m, while team-mate Eden Rainbow-Cooper also progressed in the women’s T54 5000m.
Tokyo champions Tully Kearney and Maisie Summers-Newton comfortably won their respective para swimming heats in the S5 100m freestyle and SM6 200m individual medley. They return to the pool this evening for the medal events.
As will twins Scarlett and Eliza Humphrey in the S11 400m freestyle.
Van Gass on difference between Tokyo and Paris:
16:22
Mike Jones
He said: “It’s that’s very reason why I continued to carry on. The game plan was always to become a Paralympian, let alone a medallist.
“I stood on top of the podium looking into the stands in Tokyo and there was no-one.
“I knew from that second on, I would have to try again knowing that Paris was next, knowing that we’ll have those friends and family here. I had lots of adventures along the way but I kept with the bike.”
Fin Graham on winning silver after racing Jaco van Gass
16:15
Mike Jones
He said: “It’s a carbon copy to Tokyo. I go out, break a world record and I get about five minutes, I’ve barely got off the bike before Jaco’s taken it off me.
“Coming into it Jaco’s the one to beat. He’s the reigning world champion and he was the Paralympic champion in Tokyo. He’s able to peak at the right time. In this event there’s no hiding - strongest man on the day wins and today, that is Jaco.”
Lizzi Jordon wins gold in the women’s B 1000m time trial
16:09
Mike Jones
Lizzi Jordan and her pilot Danni Khan start slower than the Australia duo.
As the race goes on they speed up and cut the deficit, on the final straight the pace goes even quicker and they finish half a second faster that the Aussies!
It’s another gold on the track for Great Britain.
Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan absolutely smashed that ride. Jordan is now the paralympic champion!
Can Great Britain win gold?
16:07
Mike Jones
More chances for a gold medal for Great Britain.
In the women’s B 1000m time trial Brit’s Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl have secured themselves a medal but don’t know the colour yet.
Australian pari Jessica Gallagher and pilot Caitlin Ward currently sit in first place with only Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan (both part of ParalympicsGB) left to ride.
Can they beat the Aussies into the gold medal position?
Van Gass on winning gold:
16:04
Mike Jones
“I’m overwhelmed, delighted and just generally glad it’s over to be very honest. It’s been a rollercoaster to this moment.
“I rode a average qualifier. I know I did well time-wise but in terms of how I execute the ride was not perfect.
“I knew I had something to work on for the final, it was just whether the legs would be there or not. It paid off and I’m just elated to be here.”
Daphne Schrager tells of ‘surreal’ moment Jackie Chan presented her silver medal
16:00
Mike Jones
Paralympic cyclist Daphne Schrager described the “surreal” moment she hugged actor Jackie Chan after he presented her silver medal, saying she will celebrate her performance with coffee and a croissant.
Schrager secured Britain’s maiden podium place in France by clinching silver in the women’s C1-3 3000m individual pursuit on Thursday, finishing second to China’s Xiaomei Wang in the final.
Schrager, 23, who grew up on a farm in Wiltshire, said she “gave everything” in the final and was “immensely proud” of her performance, adding that coming second gives her the “fire” to win in the next Games.
Bly Twomey wins bronze to become Great Britain’s youngest table tennis medallist
15:50
Mike Jones
Schoolgirl Bly Twomey became Great Britain’s youngest Paralympic table tennis medallist by winning doubles bronze alongside Fliss Pickard.
A resounding 3-0 quarter-final victory over Norwegian pair Nora Korneliussen and Jenny Helene Slettum guaranteed the 14-year-old a podium place in the WD14 classification event.
Defeat to Chinese pair Wenjuan Huang and Yucheng Jin in the evening session prevented Twomey and 30-year-old Pickard, who both have cerebral palsy, progressing to the gold medal match.
Jaco van Gass wins gold in C3 individual pursuit!
15:37
Mike Jones
Jaco van Gass defends his paralympic title and has beaten GB teammate Finlay Graham. Van Gass crosses the line in a time of 3:18.460 and beats his opponent by four seconds or so.
Van Gass claims the gold and Graham takes silver, just as they did in Tokyo.
Van Gass v Graham
15:34
Mike Jones
And they’re off!
Finlay Graham is the quicker starter but by the end of the first lap, Jaco van Gass has reeled him back in and opened up a lead of around half a second.
Van Gass has started quickly and gets over a second ahead by the 1000m mark. Eight laps to go and there’s work to for for Graham...
Van Gass v Graham
15:29
Mike Jones
Jaco van Gass is the reigning paralympic champion and is a master at racing over 3000m. That’s 12 laps of the velodrome track and is a repeat of the Tokyo 2020 final.
Van Gass won that race and Graham took silver. Both men are guaranteed medals in this event but only one can walk away with gold.
Who will it be?
Van Gass v Graham
15:23
Mike Jones
Coming up is a blockbuster final in the men’s C3 3,000m individual pursuit as Great Britain teammates Jaco van Gass and Finlay Graham face off against each other for the gold medal.
It’s a repeat of the final in Tokyo, where Van Gass emerged the victor with a world record time of 3:17.593.
Both he and Graham beat that time in qualifying this morning, with Graham recording a time 3:17.305 before Van Gass beat it by almost two seconds for a time of 3:15.488.
Robertson reacts to winning bronze medal in the men’s C2 individual pursuit:
15:16
Mike Jones
“I didn’t know I was going to get here a couple of years ago. I was over the moon with the call up and to get here and be able to do that – I’m just in shock right now.
“I looked across with six or four to go and I saw I was in front so I thought ‘head down, go’. I know I shouldn’t have done but inside of me I was thinking ‘I’ve got this’.
“To be a medallist in this team is incredible and it proves that the programme works and the support behind us works.
“I’ve come up from foundation and it’s just great to achieve that. I’ve been with my coach for seven years now and it’s so nice to deliver the performance that I know I’m capable of for him.”
Tully Kearney earns ‘redemption’ as GB lands three medals, two golds and one world record in the pool
15:08
Mike Jones
Tully Kearney could be forgiven for getting a bit bored of winning things the hard way.
Kearney thought her Paralympic dreams were over after suffering a head injury last year that affected her memory and left her contemplating her future in the sport.
Vertigo kept her out the pool while she was then hit with the news she’d be reclassified for these Games, meaning she needed to compete with less impaired athletes than her previous rivals.
Robertson wins bronze in individual persuit
15:01
Mike Jones
Here’s a few photos of Matt Robertson winning bronze in the velodrome:
Blaine Hunt reacts to winning silver medal
14:58
Mike Jones
Blaine Hunt won the silver medal in the men’s C4-5 1,000m time trial final and gave his reaction to Channel 4 saying: “[The medal is] heavy. My legs are heavy. It was a lot of hard work, seven years. All my family are over there and my daughter.
“I feel I can finally take a break and be a dad for a bit because I put so much trying to get this. It just means so much.
“My wife sleeps with three bikes in the bedroom. At least one in the front room. There’s about five in the shed.
“I miss out on family things. My nan died before I came here. They’re postponing the funeral so I can be there. It’s things like that you miss out on.
“I’m just glad that’ve I’ve come out on the lucky side and I am able to go home with something.”
Robertson wins bronze in individual persuit
14:50
Mike Jones
Matt Robertson is going for a medal in the men’s C2 3,000m individual pursuit. He’s up against Japan’s Shoto Kawamoto.
Robertson has started strongly but is just pacing himself over the first half of this race. Kawamoto is more than capable of cutting the gap which is hovering at around a second.
At the halfway mark, Robertson increases that to 1.3 seconds with six laps of the track to go. Robertson looks strong but he’ll need to finish well.
With two laps to go his lead is almost three seconds. Robertson is going to do it...
... bronze for Matt Robertson! A time of 3:30.508 earns him a medal at the Paralympic Games. Fantastic result.
‘I gave everything’ says Cundy
14:38
Mike Jones
Jody Cundy finished fourth in the time trial final and spoke to Channel 4. He said: “[It’s] just not to be. I gave it everything. I’m not a million miles off my best here and I tried to back it up this afternoon.
“I did pretty much the same time as this morning but everything I had in my legs is gone.
“It would have been nice to be on the medal board, but we’ve got the team sprint in a couple of days so get all the focus back on that and we can come back because we’ve got Kadeena [Cox] with a point to prove.
“A little bit disappointed but everything I do, I try to perform at my best. A whole bunch of people have contributed to my whole career. I feel like I can give it everything and hopefully it can be enough but unfortunately it wasn’t.”
Munro ‘emotional’ after taekwondo loss
14:30
Mike Jones
Beth Munro said she felt “really emotional” after losing her K44 -65kg quarter-final.
“I had a clear plan and I just didn’t execute it - I just left it too late to try and win the points back,” she said, “I feel really emotional at the moment, I’m probably going to go away and cry for a bit, let it sink in. I’m truly sorry.
“I just feel that I’ve let my family and friends down who have come all this way to support me, and my coach.
“It just didn’t go the way I wanted it to but unfortunately that is sport. I’ll take the loss, I’ll hold the grief for a while, and I’ll move on and see what happens next.”
Blaine Hunt wins silver in men’s C4-5 time trail
14:22
Mike Jones
Blaine Hunt wins silver in men’s C4-5 time trail
14:19
Mike Jones
Jody Cundy says he’s a little disappointed after finishing in fourth place and missing out on a medal but says that his time was all he could manage.
He said: “Hopefully it would be enough, but today is wasn’t.”
Blaine Hunt wins silver in men’s C4-5 time trail
14:17
Mike Jones
Spain’s Alfonso Cabello is the man who Hunt knocked out of first place. Jody Cundy is currently in the bronze medal position. The only man left to spoil the party for Great Britain is Korey Boddington of Australia.
He was rapid this morning and if he can match that then the gold will be his.
Boddington gets away well and is up on Hunt’s time already. At the halfway stage he’s half a second ahead but Hunt finished strongly.
The Australia hears the bell for the final lap and he isn’t slipping. Boddington holds on and crosses the line 0.126 seconds quicker than the Brit.
Boddington wins gold and Hunt takes silver!
Brits go for gold in velodrome
14:12
Mike Jones
Cundy has been forced into second with two riders to go. Blaine Hunt is Great Britain’s final chance at winning gold. He needs to beat a time of one minute one second.
Hunt gets away but he’s seventh tenths down at the first marker which means there’s work to do. As the race goes on he needs a rapid final lap.
He’s two-tenths down heading round the final corner... he does it! Hunt moves into first place by just 0.193!
He’s guaranteed at least a silver medal now and went quicker than his qualifying ride. There’s one cyclist left to go. Can Hunt secure gold?
Brits go for gold in velodrome
14:04
Mike Jones
Next up to the track is Jody Cundy.
He qualified in fourth place but is a serial winner. He’s won five gold medals on the track in his time as a paralympian, and has twice won this event.
At 45-years-old which more can he give?
Cundy kicks off his ride and is half a second up on Atkinson. Can he maintain and maybe improve on that? Yes! At the halfway mark he’s a full second ahead.
One lap to go, Cundy goes full throttle and crosses the line in a rapid time of 1:02.504! Surely that’ll be good enough for a medal. There’s three riders still to go and they are all fantastic.
Let’s see how this final plays out. Cundy currently leads the way.
Brits go for gold in velodrome
13:59
Mike Jones
The C4-5 1,000m time trial final is underway. ParalympicsGB have three men, Archie Atkinson, Jody Cundy and Blaine Hunt, competing for the medals.
The first of them to ride is Atkinson. This is his first Paralympic Games and he’s an outside shout for a medal.
Atkinson gets off to a strong start and immediately takes the lead. At the halfway mark he’s three seconds up on the only other competitior to go so far.
Finishing up the final lap, he crosses the line with a time of 1:03.538!
That’s pretty strong and with four riders to come he’s sitting in first place.
Munro misses out in taekwondo
13:50
Mike Jones
ParalympicsGB’s Beth Munro, who was the silver medalist in Tokyo, was beaten in her taekwondo quarter final.
She now enters the repechage and will fight for a place in the bronze medal contest. That bout is expected to start about 4.3pm BST.
Munro became ParalympicsGB’s very first medalist in para taekwondo in Japan having only taken up the sport in 2019.
Hannah Cockroft puts Paralympics record on the line in Paris: ‘I’m the one to beat’
13:44
Mike Jones
Seven-time champion Hannah Cockroft insisted there is “not a single thought” Paris 2024 will be her final Paralympics as she sent out an ominous warning to her rivals.
Wheelchair racer Cockroft has dominated the women’s T34 classification for more than a decade after bursting on to the scene with two golds at London 2012.
The 32-year-old is poised to put her 100 per cent Games record on the line on Sunday when she defends her 100m title at Stade de France before bidding to retain the 800m crown the following Saturday.
Brits go for gold
13:36
Mike Jones
ParalympicsGB riders Archie Atkinson, Jody Cundy, and Blaine Hunt all qualified in the men’s C4-5 1,000m time trials this morning.
They’re going up against each other this afternoon for the gold medal. That event starts in around 10 minutes time.
Klopp supporting badminton star Wojtek Czyz
13:28
Mike Jones
Jurgen Klopp is spectating at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and has been voicing his support for friend Wojtek Czyz.
“It’s just very, very special, very special,” added Klopp. “I couldn’t be prouder – to do it again in a different sport.
“Imagine you decide tomorrow, ‘by the way, it would be a good idea if I go to the Olympics or the Paralympics’. Whichever sport, you think, ‘what did I like as a kid?’ Here it is, that’s super special.
“It’s the most inspiring story I’ve heard in my life. This story has to be told, it has to be, it has to be, it’s just not normal.”
Cyclists shine for GB
13:20
Mike Jones
Back to the velodrome and GB’s Fin Graham has set a new world record in the men’s C3 3,000m individual pursuit qualifier.
It only lasted a few minutes before teammate Jaco van Gass beat Graham’s time!
Graham recorded a time of 3:17.305, breaking the world record which had been previously held by Van Gass. 37-year-old Van Gass reclaimed the record 3:15.488 which is just lightning quick.
The two will now go head-to-head in the race for gold this afternoon.
British paralympian suspended
13:14
Mike Jones
Sir Lee Pearson, GB’s third most successful Paralympian, has been suspended by British Equestrian.
ParalympicsGB last month named an all-female dressage team of Natasha Baker, Mari Durward-Akhurst, Sophie Wells and Georgia Wilson for this year’s Games.
“British Equestrian and British Dressage are aware of concerns and allegations that have arisen around an individual within the dressage community,” British Equestrian said.
“In accordance with our own procedures, the matter is under active investigation and the individual is suspended from both organisations while that investigation takes place.
“No further comment will be made at this time.”
Equestrian events are scheduled to begin on Tuesday at Chateau de Versailles.
Pine clinches archery nail-biter
13:04
Mike Jones
Wow!
In the women’s compound elimination archery match, Phoebe Pine of Great Britain has secured a spot in the second round but did so in nail-biting fashion.
She held her nerve for the final arrow and beat Ecuador’s Diana Guaman, 142-141. Pine now faces Australia’s Melissa Tanner tomorrow at 3:30pm BST.
Robertson to race for bronze medal
12:57
Mike Jones
Matt Robertson’s fine ride in the men;s C2 3,000m individual pursuit qualifying has been beaten. Belgium’s Ewoud Vromant went faster than the Brit before France’s Alexandre Leaute broke his own world record with a time of 3:24.298.
Those two will compete for the gold medal later today with Robertson, who was the third fastest qualifier, going up against Japan’s Shota Kawamoto for the bronze.
Cox on reaching Paris 2024
12:50
Mike Jones
Paris 2024 marks a decade since Kadeena Cox was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the last year has been perhaps her roughest yet, racked with relapses and plagued with injuries.
It all culminated in a cruel crash on the first turn of the 500m time trial, an event in which the 33-year-old was meant to win ParalympicsGB’s first medal of the Games and retain her title.
“The fact that I got here was amazing in itself,” said Cox, who posted the second-quickest time in qualifying. “I’m just gutted that I was able to ride a ride that was pretty great in the first round and then not go out there and show what I’m capable of.”
Kadeena Cox crashes out of gold contention – but influence is still seen in GB’s medal haul
12:43
Mike Jones
Kadeena Cox has spent the past decade playing the hand that her body has dealt her and this time, it gave her no choice but to fold.
Paris 2024 marks a decade since Cox was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the last year has been perhaps her roughest yet, racked with relapses and plagued with injuries.
It all culminated in a cruel crash on the first turn of the 500m time trial, an event in which the 33-year-old was meant to win ParalympicsGB’s first medal of the Games and retain her title.
Rose Ayling-Ellis makes history as first deaf presenter to work live on Paralympic Games
12:32
Mike Jones
Rose Ayling-Ellis has made history as the first deaf presenter to work live on the Paralympic Games.
The 29-year-old appeared alongside Clare Balding to present Channel 4’s coverage of the Paris Paralympic Games on Thursday evening (29 August).
As Balding informed viewers her co-presenter was making history, the former Strictly champion explained: “It’s a bit complicated, there’s a lot going on.”
“I am too deaf for an ear piece, so I have the lovely Kirsty over there, who is going to be my earpiece lady.”
