Star Italian mobility device fencer Bebe Vio endured a shock loss at the Paralympics on Wednesday yet British biking fantastic Sarah Storey won her 18th gold– after that knocked the “appalling” program.
Storey, that is contending in her nine Paralympics, controlled the C5 time test in the Paris suburban areas in advance of French hope Heidi Gaugain.
But Storey, 46, claimed the 14.1-kilometre program was “appalling” which she had actually never ever competed on a Games program much shorter than 22km.
“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 claimed.
“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.
The Briton added: ” I actually wish that they never ever do this to the ladies once more since I assume it’s been dreadful.”
Storey, who was born without a functioning left hand, has now won 29 Paralympics medals of all colours since she made her debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games in the sport of swimming aged 14.
US cyclist Oksana 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.
– ‘Bebe’ tastes defeat –
Another of the global stars of Paralympism, Beatrice ‘Bebe’ Vio, was expected to easily defend her title in the women’s foil category B.
But the Italian, who uses prosthetic arms after having all four limbs amputated when she contracted meningitis at the age of 11, was beaten 15-9 by Xiao Rong of China in the semi-final, showing her deep displeasure afterwards.
Vio, 27, regained her composure and went on to win a bronze medal in the ornate surroundings of the Grand Palais.
She still has a chance of gold at the Paris Games as part of Italy’s women’s foil team who are seeking to improve on their silver medal from Tokyo. Italy start their bid in the quarter-finals against the USA on Thursday.
In other sports, South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole became the first athletes from the African continent to win a Paralympic medal in wheelchair tennis.
They edged Brazil’s Leandro Pena and Mane Silva 6-2, 6-4, 10-8 in the quad doubles to win bronze.
There was more success for Africa as Nigerian powerlifter Esther Nworgu claimed a surprise silver medal in the up to 41kg category and said it felt ” like paradise” after she feared she would have to sit out the competition having dislocated her shoulder two days ago.
Nworgu, who lost the use of her legs as a child, only missed out on gold to defending champion Cui Zhe, who led a series of winning Chinese performances, including Guo Lingling’s world record of 123kg to win the up to 45kg class.
Nigerian Nworgu, 21, was effectively lifting the bar with one arm due to the injury.
” I was so psychological since I never ever anticipated any type of medal from this competitors, she informed press reporters.
“I had an injury two days ago and the doctors confirmed that I should not compete because it was critical.
“There is no adjective I can make use of to evaluate my joy today.”
China rose in advance in the medals table on 62 golds with Great Britain 2nd on 33 and the U.S.A. 3rd with 25. The Netherlands have 16 golds and host country France are 5th with 15.
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