Paris 2024 Paralympics | Para athletics: A Day for world record breaking and history making at the Stade De France
A recap of record-breaking and history making at the Stade de France from the evening of Saturday, August 31st. Success seems to come in double form for team China, Colombia, USA, Brazil and the Netherlands. And a determined Jaydin Blackwell speaks on the upcoming mens 400m T38 final "I'm gonna get gold, watch me."
As the Stadium fills with people, so too does the excitement in the air. It seems the two are an inseparable pair at the Paralympic events this year. Where there are fans, there’s a massive buzz, and that’s just how we like it.
On day three of the Paralympic Games, It would be hard to believe if this wasn’t the case.
The Stade de France, while an outdoor stadium, was overheated with the warmth of bodies bustled up against one another. Each person trying desperately to catch a glimpse at the events – which if not paid attention to, can be over in the blink of an eye. These Para athletes are fast, you know.
The womens shot put F37 final kicked off the night and lasted for almost the entire course of the evening. China dominated this event, adding two new medals – gold for Li Yingli and bronze for Mi Na – to the countrys collection at this years Paralympic Games. Neutral Paralympic Athlete Irina Vertinskaya took bronze.
There’s something in every corner, all the time. Pay attention or you’ll miss it
One person who does not miss is USA’s Jaydin Blackwell. He broke a new world record in the men's 100m category T38. The gold medalist made the 100m race in 10.64, beating his previous world record of 10.72.
Blackwell told Paris 2024, "I can remember the entire race, it's such a surreal moment and it plays around in your mind. I just want to go now and rewatch it so that I can see what was happening outside of my personal point of view."
His training and recovery strategy for the next few days, Blackwell told us, is to get his "body back right."
"I'm really focused on getting my gold medal," he said, talking about the upcoming mens 400m T38 final on September 3rd. "This is done and over with now so I'm focused on the 400...I'm gonna get gold, watch me." he concluded.
Silver medalist, another USA native, Ryan Medrano (10.97) and bronze medal winner Juan Alejandro Campas Sanchez (10.99) both hit Personal Bests.
Speaking of records...
Joel de Jong (NED) also broke a world record in the mens long jump T63 final with a distance of 7.68m, beating his previous WR of 7.67m.
Nambia’s Lahja Ishitille made a Paralympic record of 56.20 in the women’s 400m T11 final, beating the previous Paralympic record of 56.25.
Colombian Para athlete Karen Tatiana Palomeque broke a world record in the womens 100m T38 final with a smashing time of 12.26.
Contrary to the high spirits of home crowds after Antonie Praud's bronze medal at the mens 1500m T46 event this morning, France adored Timothee Adolphe and his guide Jeffrey Lami unfortunately did not make it to medal holding this evening. The 34-year old Para athlete who also doubles as a hip-hop dancer, made his debut at this morning's T11 400m race where he glided to the finish line.