Impeccable throughout the qualification cycle, the USA’s Grace Norman produced exactly the performance she needed to win the second Paralympic gold of her career on Monday afternoon in Paris, coming out on top of another see-saw battle of the best in the PTS5 category.
It was yet another epic battle between her and the British pair of Claire Cashmore and Lauren Steadman for the medals, and one that she took decisively on the run, Cashmore passing her teammate early into the 5km to win silver, Steadman with the bronze and Kamylle Frenette of Canada fourth.
“I did not like giving that up in Tokyo (she took silver) - I was fired up for these Games,” said Norman. “The swim was a little different to what I expected. I started and it really didn’t feel like you were going with the current. It just felt hard the whole time. There was a little bit of a bobble around the first turn but we didn’t dunk each other, so that was nice. We’re for fair play.”
“On to the bike, it was a really fun course; those corners, the cobbles, everything was just so electric. So fun. There were people shouting. When I got on to the run I was third, knew I had to put on a pretty tough show, make that gap so I could feel a little more relaxed. I did that in the first mile. And by the end of it I was just taking it all in. I got to pick out my family members and kind of give them a little smile.”
There was little to call between Norman and Cashmore in the water after the chaos of the first 100m, the athletes soon settling into their strokes before negotiating the first current challenge around the buoys.
It was Cashmore by a whisker as they came back to the ramp and towards transition beside the Seine, Steadman 15 seconds back but gaining a fraction on the American getting out onto the bike.
Behind them, Frenette was 20 seconds off Steadman, followed by Poland’s Marta Dzieciatowska.
The front three became even closer over the first laps of the bike as their collective speed took them over 90seconds away from Frenette, Andrea Miguelez Ranz moving into fifth. Norman and Steadman exchanged the lead, Cashmore just a few seconds back as they neared transition.
Once out onto the run, it was to once again prove Norman’s day, however. Steadman led the three out of transition with Cashmore on her heels, but it wasn’t long before the American was able to move to the front and that was precisely where she would stay all the way to the line.
It was a supreme 5km run in a time of just 18m16s that took Norman all the way to a second Paralympic gold and joining her silver in Tokyo, while Cashmore manoeuvred into silver and pulled away from Steadman over the final stages.
Fourth for Kamylle Frenette, fifth for Andrea Miguelez Ranz, Gwladys Lemossu across the line for France in sixth.
QUOTES
Claire Cashmore (silver)
“That crowd was just amazing. I was smiling the whole way round. Obviously, I went in there and I really wanted to win that gold. But I still feel a massive amount of relief I managed to pick up the silver. Grace Norman is just on another level right now. I gave it everything, but it wasn’t quite enough for that gold medal. But to also see my partner Dave win (PTVI) gold… well, I’ve not seen him yet (laughs). I will go find him and give him a hug.
“And then to see my housemate Meg (Megan RICHTER, GBR) win that (PTS4) gold, is amazing. It’s her first Paralympic Games and to see her take the gold has been amazing to see. We’re on fire.”
Lauren Steadman (bronze)
“I had zero expectations today. Covid threw a massive spanner in the works for me. If I would have said to you I would do a hard run a few months ago, I’d be in bed for two days. Just to be on the start line (today) was fantastic. There was a moment last year when I didn’t think I would be (racing) here today.”
“So that medal, I think I’ve had my moment. It was great to get that gold medal three years ago, but crossing the line today was just overwhelming more than anything. It’s taken everything I got to get here. I’m immensely proud of myself.”
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