Legends Masters and Storey light up Games

Paris 2024
A nine-time Paralympian slammed the organisers after winning the 18th gold medal of her career.
  • 1 Week Ago 05 September 2024
US cyclist Oksana Masters and British great Sarah Storey added to their title hauls in early action at the Paralympic Games yesterday.

Masters, who was born in Ukraine with birth defects believed to be linked to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, including missing thumbs and weight-bearing bones in her legs, claimed the seventh Paralympic gold of her career by winning the H4-5 category.

The 35-year-old, who was adopted by an American family, has previously won medals in rowing and in a range of winter sports including cross-country skiing.

Storey, who is competing in her ninth Paralympics at the age of 46, slammed the Paris organisers after winning the 18th gold medal of a career that began in swimming by taking the C5 time trial in the Paris suburbs ahead of French hope Heidi Gaugain.

Born without a functioning left hand, Storey has now won 29 Paralympics medals of all colours since she made her debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

But Storey said the course that measured 14.1 kilometres was "appalling" and said she had never raced on a Games course shorter than 22 km.

“This is the shortest Paralympic time trial we have ever had, and I think it's a real shame because we don't get to showcase para-sport in the way we want to,” Storey told British media.

“You'll have to ask organisers. There's plenty of time in the day for us to do two laps like the men. Having fought so hard for parity in women's cycling, to not have it is a real disappointment.”



Wheelchair fencing star shocked

Star Italian wheelchair fencer Beatrice 'Bebe' Vio suffered a shock defeat yesterday when she was beaten by Xiao Rong of China in the semifinal of the women's foil category B.

Vio, who had to have all four limbs amputated when she contracted meningitis at the age of 11 and now uses prosthetic arms, lost 15-9, meaning the best medal she can win is bronze.

She must now contest the round four repechage against China's Kang Su to qualify for the bronze medal match.

Vio, 27, is one of the world stars of Paralympism and won gold in the individual foil at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

But Xiao held on to stun the favourite and qualify for the final, where she will face Thailand's Saysunee Jana.

– SuperSport/AFP