Quadruple amputee Ellie Challis wins gold in women’s 50m backstroke amid more GB success

Ellie Challis won gold in the women’s 50m S3 backstroke – Andrew Coudlridge/Reuters

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Ellie Challis, the quadruple amputee with no hands or feet who was inspired to swim by a dolphin with a prosthetic tail, raced to her first Paralympic gold medal last night in the women’s S3 50m backstroke.

This was Great Britain’s 27th gold medal of these Games, with Louise Fiddes claiming another podium-topping moment soon afterwards in the women’s SB14 100m breaststroke final. Challis dominated, in a time of 53:56, almost five seconds ahead of Zoia Shchurova.

Challis, the 20 year old from Essex, who has become an ambassador for meningitis awareness, said: “I was very confident that I could do better than this morning and a PB was all I could ask for whether that got me first, second or third then that’s what it was. But wow that was a good swim.”

Having competed as a 17-year-old in Tokyo, she added: “Para sport is so different – we have people drop in and out of our classifications all the time and you never know what the year is going to hold. I went to the worlds in 2019 and since then I’ve just gone up and up and up.

“It’s been the most incredible day ever. I was so confident in myself but it’s a swimming race anything can happen. But wow that was fun. My family are just up there. I just want to say a big thank you to my dad, my sisters and my coach Aled as I couldn’t have done it without them.

“Since working with Aled two years ago I’ve improved so much. He gives me so much confidence in my swimming and I really couldn’t have done it without him, either at the worlds two years ago or today. I’ve got one day left and we’ll see what happens tomorrow but this is a full dream come true and tomorrow is just about enjoying every moment and taking it all in and whatever happens, happens.”

The life story of Challis is nothing short of inspirational. She was 16 months old when she contracted meningitis and was given a five percent chance of survival, resulting in the amputation of her four limbs. Aged 8, she began swimming at the Colchester Phoenix swimming club, motivated by watching a film about a dolphin named Winter, whose tail was amputated after getting caught in a crab trap. Nothing has held Challis back, including being a talented snowboarder, who dreams of becoming a baker. Perhaps The Great British Bake Off now awaits golden’ Challis.

Elsewhere, in boccia, Stephen McGuire defeated Colombian Edilson Chica Chica 8-5, in a sublime display in the gold medal match of the men’s individual BC4.

Jodie Grinham, seven months pregnant, and Nathan MacQueen took the gold in the Mixed Team Compound Archery, beating Iran 155-151, with two tens from the final two arrows.

Challis wins gold on another successful day for Great Britain: As it happened08:41 PM BSTBoth Brits out in heat twoDisaster for Great Britain as both David Weir and Daniel Sidbury are knocked out. Weir finishes sixth and Sidbury seventh, meaning both miss out on the top five and will not be in the final with Nathan Maguire. Weir got trapped in a little bit and will be disappointed with his tactics in that race.

David Weir has not made the final – Adam Davy/PA

08:33 PM BSTMcKibbin through in table tennisThe final game goes to Aaron McKibbin and he has beaten Slovakian Richard Csejtey 11-8 7-11 13-11 9-11 11-8 to book his place in the quarter-finals, which take place on Wednesday.

Aaron McKibbin into the quarter-finals – Kacper Pempel/Reuters

08:31 PM BSTMaguire through in men’s 1500m T54In heat one Great Britain’s Nathan Maguire finishes third and comfortably progresses through to the final. Six-time paralympic gold medalist Marcel Hug was at the back and in a spot of bother, but just managed to get into the final, finishing fifth in the final qualification process.

David Weir and Daniel Sidbury up in heat two.

08:23 PM BSTAll to play for in the table tennisAaron McKibbin was just one game away from victory but Slovakia’s Richard Czejtey has responded to win game four to take it to a deciding game.

08:20 PM BSTMen’s 1500m T54 round oneDavid Weir goes for Great Britain in heat two alongside Daniel Sidbury. Nathan Maguire is in heat one, which gets under way in five minutes.

08:18 PM BSTMcKibbin in controlAfter losing game two, Aaron McKibbin has bounced back to win game three to take a 2-1 lead. Win game four and he will book his place in the quarter-finals.

08:03 PM BSTPara table tennisGreat Britain’s Aaron McKibbin is in action in the round of 16 against Slovakia’s Richard Csejtey. McKibbin is one game up.

07:59 PM BSTWheelchair basketballGreat Britain have made it three wins from three against hosts France, winning 85-50.

07:55 PM BSTPetrillo outIran’s Hagar Safarzadeh Ghahderijani leads out from the front and takes the semi-final in 56.07. Venezuela’s Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez runs a personal best to come home in second. Valentina Petrillo finishes in third and will not make the final.

Valentina Petrillo knocked out in the semi-finals – Adam Davy/PA

07:47 PM BSTPetrillo up nextThe world and paralympic record holder Omara Durand Elias wins the first semi-final comfortably in 54.77.

Valentina Petrillo is up in the second semi-final.

Transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo in action – Adam Davy/PA

07:44 PM BSTWomen’s 400m T12 semi-finalsValentina Petrillo is up in the second semi-final.

Two-time paralympic gold medalist Libby Clegg has said on Channel 4 that if she were competing in this event alongside Petrillo, she probably would not feel like it was a level playing field.

07:34 PM BSTJK Rowling on XTransgender athlete Valentina Petrillo is in semi-final two of the women’s 400m T12 semi-finals at 19.43 BST. JK Rowling, who is very vocal on the transgender topic, has expressed her view on Petrillo:

Why all the anger about the inspirational Petrillo? The cheat community has never had this kind of visibility! Out and proud cheats like Petrillo prove the era of cheat-shaming is over. What a role model! I say we give Lance Armstrong his medals back and move on. #Cheats #NoShame pic.twitter.com/bvqhs3DexI

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 2, 2024

07:32 PM BSTAlfie Hewett speaking after beating Japan’s Daisuke Arai“Relief probably. I haven’t really played a lot against him in recent years so a little bit of a ‘learning on the job’ sort of match. He was taking my serve really early and punishing it so it put a lot of stress on me. I think I can give myself a lot of credit on how I coped with that. I saved four set points in that first set and was a lot more in control in the second so happy with that.”

07:29 PM BSTWheelchair basketballThey have reached the end of quarter three over at Bercy Arena and Great Britain lead the hosts France 61-42.

07:23 PM BSTJodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen speaking to Channel 4 after their goldNathan Macqueen: 

“It’s pure relief. This is my third Games and I hadn’t medaled. We are both parents now and there is a lot of sacrifice being a high-performance athlete, being away from your children. They are the hardest bits but this has made it all worth it, I can give my wee boy a medal.”

Jodie Grinham: 

“It has been eight years in the making. We have trained hard, we knew we could do it. We have been through it, we’ve supported each other and we’ve had amazing support from ArcheryGB and our coaches. We get the joy of being able to come out here and smash it together.”

Gold in the archery for Great Britain – Alex Slitz/Getty Images

07:19 PM BSTJonnie Peacock speaking to Channel 4“I smashed the first bit, I’m so frustrated. I did exactly what I wanted to do to about 50m. It’s race practice.

“I was proud of the 60m and I’m proud (Costa Rica’s Sherman Guity) Guity won. It’s frustrating but 2017 Jonnie would have wiped the floor with them. That’s the guy I need to find, he was there for about 50m today – but the last 40 I’m disappointed.”

On his preparation:

“It’s been a tough year. To be completely honest, for five years now I have struggled to find my form. This year the was the first I time found it again.

“I don’t want to say it’s come to soon – I said that three years ago. This year it’s on me. We still have the relay – hopefully we’re not coming back empty handed.”

06:59 PM BSTWheelchair basketballGreat Britain lead hosts France 37-27 at half-time as they look to make it three wins from three.

06:56 PM BSTDisappointment for ShiltonOver in the men’s singles table tennis Billy Shilton has been beaten by Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri 3-1. Aaron McKibbin is up later against Slovakia’s Richard Csejtey.

06:54 PM BSTPeacock misses out on medalHe got a great start but faded as the race wore on. He finishes in fifth as Costa Rica’s Sherman Isidro Guity Guity takes the gold with a paralympic record of 10.65. Italy’s Maxcel Amo Manu takes silver, Germany’s Felix Strong the bronze.

Costa Rice take gold – Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

06:50 PM BSTMen’s 100m T64 finalGreat Britain’s Jonnie Peacock goes in lane two. He won gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 before taking bronze at Tokyo 2020. Can he add another medal to his collection?

06:43 PM BSTGold for Great Britain

They have done it! Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen take the gold, beating Iran 155-151. What a way to do it with two tens from the final two arrows. Remember Grinham is seven months pregnant.

Gold for Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen – Alex Slitz/Getty Images

06:39 PM BSTGB take small lead into final endBoth teams experience some nerves during that end as Nori and MacQueen both register eights, Nori doing it twice. Great Britain therefore take a two-point lead into the final end as they lead 115-113. How are your nerves?

06:34 PM BSTIran fight backRoles are reversed in the second end as Iran take it by the same margin as Great Britain won the first, meaning we are all square at 77-77 at the halfway stage.

06:32 PM BSTGreat Britain hit the frontAs you would expect in a final, it is tight but GB have edged in front after the first end 39-38 against Iran.

06:27 PM BSTPara archery finalJodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen are going for gold against the Iranian pair of Fatemeh Hemmati and Hadi Nori. India beat Italy to take the bronze just a few moments ago.

06:20 PM BSTGB in actionBilly Shilton is under way against Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri in the last 16 of the men’s table tennis singles.

Great Britain are looking to make it three wins from three in the men’s wheelchair basketball as they take on the hosts France.

Coming up at 18.25 BST Great Britain go for gold in the mixed team archery against Iran.

06:10 PM BSTBusy period for Great BritainA number of events to keep an eye out for over the next hour, with Billy Shilton is the last 16 of the men’s table tennis singles, the wheelchair basketball team in action as well as two gold medal chances in the mixed team archery and men’s 100m T64 final.

06:00 PM BSTStill to come tonightPlenty of action to get stuck into this evening:

18:15- Para table tennis men’s singles last 16 featuring GB’s Billy Shilton

18:15- Wheelchair basketball preliminary round group A featuring Great Britain

18:25- Para Archery mixed team compound gold medal match featuring Great Britain

18:50- Athletics men’s 100m T64 final featuring GB’s Jonnie Peacock

19:45- Para table tennis men’s singles last 16 featuring GB’s Aaron McKibbin

20:10- Para badminton men’s singles gold medal match featuring GB’s Krysten Coombs

20:25- Athletics men’s 1500m T54 round one featuring GB’s David Weir, Nathan Maguire and Daniel Sidbury

05:49 PM BSTGB into para archery finalJodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen have delivered a clinical performance to beat Italy to reach the mixed team compound open final, guaranteeing Great Britain a medal. They score a perfect 40 points in the final end to win 156-149, meaning they dropped just four points in the whole contest. They will take on Iran for the gold at around 18.25 BST.

A medal guaranteed for Great Britain – Alex Slitz/Getty Images

05:38 PM BSTEllie Challis speaking to Channel 4“That was a good swim. Para sport is so different. We have people dropping in and out of our classifications all the time. I went to the Worlds and since then I’ve gone up and up.

“I have been so confident in myself – that was fun. I’ve improved so much. I’ve still have got one more day but this is a dream come true and what happens, happens.”

Ellie Challis took the gold in the women’s S3 50m backstroke – Emilio Morenatti/AP

05:38 PM BSTPara ArcheryThe Great Britain duo of Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen are taking on the Italian pair of Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina in the semi-finals. GB lead 38-37 after the first of four ends. Iran have beaten India in the first semi-final.

05:35 PM BSTHewett winsThere it is! He was in some strife in the first set but Alfie Hewett has proven why he is world number one and won so many Grand Slams. He closes out the second set to beat Japan’s Daisuke Arai 7-5 6-2 to progress through to the next round.

05:31 PM BSTHewett closing inOver at the Court Suzanne-Lenglen Alfie Hewett is serving for the match. Having won the first set 7-5, he is currently 5-2 up in the second against Japan’s Daisuke Arai.

05:25 PM BSTGold for Fiddes

Fiddes does it! What an amazing swim to secure Great Britain’s 28th gold medal. She reaches the turn in second and manages to beat the Brazilian Borges Carneiro twins.  Fiddes wins the gold in a time of 1:15.47, 0.55 seconds clear of Debora Borges Carneiro, who finished just ahead of her twin sister Beatriz.

A 28th gold for Great Britain thanks to Louise Fiddes – Adam Pretty/Getty Images

05:22 PM BSTWomen’s SB14 100m breaststroke finalGreat Britain’s final medal hopes in the pool this evening with both Louise Fiddes and Olivia Newman-Baronius in action, in lanes six and eight respectively. SB14 is for swimmers with an intellectual disability.

05:18 PM BSTStewart misses out on medalNo medal for Great Britain as he finishes fifth. Canada’s Nicholas Bennett takes the gold as Australia’s Jake Michel wins silver. The defending champion and world record holder Naohide Yamaguchi has to settle for a bronze as he tired up on the second 50.

Fifth place for Harry Stewart in the final – Zac Goodwin/PA

05:15 PM BSTMen’s SB14 100m breaststroke finalHarry Stewart is up for Great Britain in lane two. Can he get a medal like Ellie Challis has just done?

05:11 PM BSTChallis wins gold

Talk about an emphatic performance in a final! Ellie Challis takes Great Britain’s 27th gold medal in a time of 53:56, finishing nearly five seconds ahead of Zoia Shchurova. Spain’s Marta Fernandez Infante takes the bronze medal. Dominant from 20-year-old Challis.

Gold for Ellie Challis in the women’s S3 50m backstroke final – Zac Goodwin/PA

05:08 PM BSTPara SwimmingTime to turn our attention to La Défense Arena as Great Britain go off in three finals in the next 15 minutes. First up is Ellie Challis in the women’s 50m backstroke final.

05:04 PM BSTGreat Britain through to semi-finalsJodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen take a comfortable 150-141 win over Australia to advance to the semi-finals, joining Iran, India and Italy. Those semi-finals are coming up very shortly.

Nathan MacQueen and Jodie Grinham into the semi-finals – PA

04:57 PM BSTHewett takes first setOver at Court Suzanne-Lenglen after numerous break and set points, GB’s Alfie Hewett has found a way to win the first set 7-5. That is a monumental effort from Hewett after it looked on numerous ocassions like he was going to lose the first set.

Advantage Alfie Hewett – Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

04:56 PM BSTGB in commandJodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen have made a great start to their quarter-final against Australia. They lead 76-72 at the halfway stage.

04:48 PM BSTPara ArcheryThe action keeps coming as Great Britain are involved in the mixed team compound quarter-finals against Australia. GB’s Jodie Grinham, who is seven months pregnant, and Nathan MacQueen take on Australia’s Ameera Lee and Jonathon Milne.

04:46 PM BSTWheelchair tennisJust as it looked like Alfie Hewett was about to lose the first set to Japan’s Daisuke Arai, who had three set points, he digs deep and wins the game to make it 5-5. How did he do that?

04:41 PM BSTMcGuire wins gold

Great Britain take the gold medal after a terrific gold medal match performance from Stephen McGuire to beat Colombian Edilson Chica Chica 8-5. A sublime display when it mattered most. That is Great Britain’s 26th gold medal.

A 26th gold for Great Britain – Andrew Matthews/PA

04:31 PM BSTMcGuire in commandAfter plenty of mistakes from Chica Chica in the third end, Stephen McGuire takes advantage with a terrific penultimate end as he wins that third end 5-0 to take an emphatic 8-3 lead going into the final end. He has one hand on the gold medal.

04:22 PM BSTChica Chica bounces backStephen McGuire may have taken the first end 3-0 but the Colombian has responded in emphatic style, winning the second end by the same score to bring the match level at 3-3 halfway through the match. Game well and truly back on.

04:11 PM BSTAdvantage McGuireI do not think he could have dreamt of a better start in this gold medal match. He leads 3-0 after the first of four ends against Colombian Edilson Chica Chica after a clinical first end that nearly saw him take a 4-0 lead.

Great start for Stephen McGuire – Andrew Matthews/PA

04:10 PM BSTWheelchair tennisWorld number one Alfie Hewett finds himself trailing 3-2 in the first set against Japan’s Daisuke Arai. Hewett has just ripped off some tape that was on his shoulder so is he struggling with a small injury? Time will tell.

03:59 PM BSTBocciaStephen McGuire is going for gold against Colombia’s Edilson Chica Chica. Can he win Great Britain’s third gold of the day?

Stephen McGuire goes for gold – Andrew Matthews/PA

03:36 PM BSTBocciaAt 16.00 BST, GB’s Stephen McGuire is in action in the gold medal match against Colombia’s Edilson Chica Chica in the men’s individual BC4. In boccia, one side has six red balls and the other six blue balls. The aim is to get your balls closer to the white target ball, the ‘jack’, than your opponent.

Here are the rules:

A match consists of a set number of ends, four in Individual and Pairs events and six in the Team game. Once all ends have been played the side with the highest score is the winner.

Boccia is played indoor on a court similar in size to badminton. Players are positioned at one end in throwing boxes and can throw the jack anywhere on court over the ‘V’ line.

The balls are made of leather and are filled with plastic granules so they do not bounce and are easy to grip.

The bronze medal went to Ukraine’s Artem Kolinko, who beat Croatia’s Davor Komar.

03:26 PM BSTWheelchair tennisWorld number one Alfie Hewett is just about to start his third round match against Japan’s Daisuke Arai on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Hewitt, who has won 30 Grand Slam title across singles and doubles in his career, is ranked number one, with his opponent Arai number 16.

03:16 PM BSTMedals so far for Great Britain todayGold- Dave Ellis (Para Triathlon Men’s PTVI), Megan Richter (Para Triathlon Women’s PTS4)

Silver- Daniel Bethell (Para Badminton, Men’s Singles SL3), Claire Cashmore (Para Triathlon Women’s PTS5)

Bronze- Lauren Steadman (Para Triathlon Women’s PTS5), Hannah Moore (Para Triathlon Women’s PTS4)

Gold for Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard – Zac Goodwin/PA

03:10 PM BSTWomen’s 1500m T54 Round OneThere has been good news for Great Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper, who has been advanced to the next round by the referee after being impeded during the race. She joins Melanie Woods and Samantha Kinghorn in the final.

Rainbow-Cooper is into the final – PA

02:54 PM BSTMedal ceremony in the Women’s PTS4 Para Triathlon

Gold for GB’s Megan Richter and bronze for Hannah Moore – Zac Goodwin/PA

02:48 PM BSTUpcoming eventsHere are some of the events to keep an eye out for in the next few hours from Great Britain (all times BST):

16:00- Boccia BC4 Gold Medal Match featuring GB’s Stephen McGuire

16:50- Para Archery Mixed Team Compound Open Quarter-Final featuring GB

17:05- Women’s 50m Backstroke S3 Final featuring GB’s Ellie Challis

17:13- Men’s 100m Backstroke SB14 Final featuring GB’s Harry Stewart

17:19- Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB14 Final featuring GB’s Olivia Newman-Baronius and Louise Fiddes

01:59 PM BSTGreat Britain beaten by Australia in wheelchair rugbyThe hooter sounds at the Champ-de-Mars Arena and Australia secure 50-48 victory over Great Britain in the bronze medal match.

It was a close and fiery game, with Great Britain – of course the defending champions from Tokyo going home empty handed.

Great Britain looking dejected after their match – Reuters/Rula Rouhana

01:54 PM BSTGareth catches up with Paralympic champion Richter

Shock gold of the triathlon, and maybe of the Games for GB with Megan Richter, 23, who has been a Paralympian for 10 years, winning gold on debut in triathlon in the womens’ PTS4 event. “I am truly shocked,” she told me. “It really is a dream come true. It’s all I dreamt of since being a little girl. I was inspired by people like Ellie Simmonds.”

On to LA, she says, and likes the sound of defending Paralympic champion under the Hollywood sign.  Brilliant day for GB here – two gold, one silver, two bronze medals.

01:51 PM BSTWheelchair rugby updateAustralia are closing in on a bronze medal at the Champ-de-Mars Arena after moving two tries ahead of Great Britain.

01:47 PM BSTReaction from Megan Richter who won gold in the women’s PTS4 triathlonI can’t believe that happened, I’m in complete shock. Hopefully it will sink in over the next few hours. I’ve worked so hard and so many people have put so much into this.

I just want to say a massive thank you to so many people. My parents, my dad, who built my bike for me. My lovely boyfriend for training with me.

Everyone at the University of Birmingham who have supported me, my gym coach, everyone at British Triathlon and thank you to everyone who has helped me get here.

I had a plan to go quick on the run and that’s what I did. It was so hot, I could feel my legs starting to go but I knew I needed to get to the end.

I was out with a stress fracture last year but I went all in, full time this year and races started going well. Things just came together and I’m so happy, the timing has been perfect.

01:46 PM BSTDay five headlines so farIt has been a busy morning for Paralympics GB at Paris 2024.

Para-triathlon gold medals for Dave Ellis and Megan Richter.

Lauren Steadman, Claire Cashmore and Hannah Moore also claim para-triathlon medals.

Daniel Bethell takes silver in badminton final after being unable to convert match point for gold.

01:43 PM BSTWheelchair rugby updateThis one is so tight! Australia have just edged ahead 39-37 lead. Great Britain need to something impressive to turn this game around!

Are we going to see a fightback?

01:28 PM BSTWheelchair rugby updateMeanwhile, at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, Great Britain has just levelled the bronze medal match with Australia at 31-31.

01:18 PM BSTClaire Cashmore and Lauren Steadman speakSteadman was unable to defend her PTS5 para-triathlon title from Tokyo but still got a podium spot by claiming bronze in Paris.

She finished one place behind GB compatriot and former schoolmate Cashmore.

Claire Cashmore:

I’m feeling pretty good. Quite emotion today to see my parents and hearing that Dave (Ellis, her partner) also won. I’m really happy.

Lauren Steadman:

It literally took everything I had to be her today. I know it is a bronze but it means as much as a gold because of what it took to get here.

19 months ago I wasn’t here. I stood down and I didn’t think I had it in me.

It takes everything to be your best version and to fly the flag. I’m at my limit. I wasn’t sure I was going to finish.

Cashmore:

I felt a lot of pressure in coming in this time. It means so much. That relief when you cross that finish line.

01:12 PM BSTParalympicsGB’s Dan Bethell on ‘devastating’ loss in badminton finalIt feels devastating, I came here for that gold,” he said. “I got the silver in Tokyo and it was my ambition from the start to go one better but I just couldn’t get it over the line today.

The main game plan was that discipline is everything. Half court singles is the marathon event of Paralympic para-badminton as there isn’t a lot of room to hit winning shots so that was the key thing.

My coaches, credit to them, recognised that straight away and were telling me the whole way through but I couldn’t execute it the way I needed to.

He added: “I never like losing, particularly in a Paralympics when I’ve already gone through losing a Paralympic final. But I’ve got to take some pride at getting through to the final as a lot of athletes dream of it and to get on that podium. But at the moment I’m just completely devastated that I’ll be on the second step.

01:10 PM BSTGold medal for GB’s Megan Richter

Another gold for Great Britain! Megan Richter delivers in the women’s PTS4 triathlon.

She gave everything on the course and finished with a time of 1:14:30.

Spain’s Marta Frances Gomez takes silver and GB’s Hannah Moore took a phenomenal bronze with 1:16:01.

The para-triathlon has provided some real entertainment today – Reuters/Christian Hartmann

Richter collapsed to the ground once over the finish line – Reuters/Christian Hartmann

01:07 PM BSTWheelchair rugby updateGreat Britain and Australia are battling it out for the bronze medal at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.

The first period ended 11-11 between the two teams, with GB looking far more composed than in their semi-final contest with the United States yesterday.

At half-time – there is nothing to separate these two sides – with the score at 22-22.

12:52 PM BSTMore triathlon medals for ParalympicsGB

Claire Cashmore took silver in the women’s PTS5 para-triathlon a short while ago. America’s Grace Norman was simply too strong and took gold in 1:04:40.

Taking the bronze medal, was fellow GB compatriot Lauren Steadman, who finished 50 seconds behind Cashmore.

The staggering photogenic nature of this course … little wonder there are so many photographers at para triathlon….
More GB medals now – Lauren Steadman bronze and Claire Cashmore with silver in womens PTS5 event. pic.twitter.com/zolemlMCLP

— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) September 2, 2024

12:44 PM BSTGareth speaks with Dave Ellis and Luke Pollard

Just spoken with GB’s Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard, funny moment when Pollard said Ellis elbowed him in the face 40m into the swim.

They are both elated at the result, especially after the mechanical failure on the bike in Tokyo. “I’ve worked for 3 years on that bike making it bullet-proof,” explained Pollard, formerly in logistics in the RAF at Brize Norton. Good to see Penny Briscoe here celebrating more GB success.

12:40 PM BSTSilver medal for GB’s Dan Bethell

What a thrilling match! Dan Bethwell was just one point away from gold in the SL3 badminton final but ended up losing to India’s Kumar Nitesh.

Nitesh claimed the deciding set 23-21 as he beat Bethell for the first time in his career. He had won the first set 21-14 but the Briton equalised by taking the second set 21-18.

There is still another chance for a first para-badminton gold medal, as Krysten Coombs goes in the final of the men’s SH6 singles.

12:32 PM BSTDave Ellis reacts after winning para-triathlon goldIt’s absolutely unreal.

Obviously Tokyo was the opposite [where his bike had a mechanical issue meaning he did not finish] but it’s been a tough couple of years so I’m so happy I had an awesome race today.

You only get a couple of chances in your career to do a Paralympics which makes it a lot more nervous.

You just want to do it on the day. But it also makes it so special when you pull it off. There’s a little bit of shock in the system.

I don’t know when it will sink it. It will take a while.

12:31 PM BSTWheelchair rugby underwayAfter yesterday’s defeat to the USA in the semi-final, GB’s mixed wheelchair rugby team are back in action against Australia to claim a bronze medal.

12:12 PM BSTDan Bethell in actionIn the men’s singles SL3 final, Great Britain’s Dan Bethell forces a deciding game against Nitesh Kumar. He takes the second game 21-18 with a hat-trick of points. Well, the fightback is on from the Tokyo silver medallist.

Another gold incoming for ParalympicsGB?

12:03 PM BSTGB’s Dave Ellis and Luke Pollard take gold

Dave Ellis has buried the heartbreak of Tokyo to claim para triathlon gold at Paris 2024. Ellis had gone into Tokyo as the favourite but no one had accounted for a mechanical issue on the bike that saw him unable to finish the race.

But finally, the world, European and Commonwealth champion has finally claimed Paralympic gold in the men’s PTVI. Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard finished over a minute clear of silver medallist Thibaut Rigaudeau of Frenceh with another Frenchman, Antonie Perel, taking bronze.

Dave Ellis finished more than a minute ahead of the rest of the field to seal gold – PA/Zac Goodwin

The winning moment for Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard – Getty Images/Tasos Katopodis

11:54 AM BSTKinghorn into the T54 1500m finalParalympicsGB Sammi Kinghorn speaking after qualifying for the women’s T54 1500m final:

It is very different for me and the first time I have raced 1500m on the big stage.

There were a few times I was brushing arms with some other athletes, and I was like ‘this is very new’.

I hoped the race would go smoothly and there would be a kick in the last 200m, and that’s exactly what I did. I feel good going into the final.

Kinghorn, who took silver in the T53 800m on Sunday, added:

I am feeling the five hours sleep in the bags of my eyes. I am glad I have got a full day to recover.

I had to just put my medal down and lock it away. It’s a bit of shame I can’t go away and celebrate my first medal with my family, but I still have more medals to aim for.

11:53 AM BSTGareth speaks to Penny Briscoe11:44 AM BSTGB’s Bethell loses first setHuge shock in the SL3 badminton as Dan Bethell loses the first set 14-21 to India’s Kumar Nitesh in the gold medal match. A flurry of points for the Indian after trailing 11-13 earlier. Bethell has been unstoppable at these Games so far, but finds himself in real trouble.

Can he find his form here to upgrade his Tokyo silver to gold in Paris?

The SL3 classification is for players with movement moderately affected one side of the body, both legs, or the absence of limbs. They play standing on a half-width court and have reduced court movement but full range of shots.

Can Dan Bethell secure gold for Paralympics GB? – PA/Andrew Matthews

11:27 AM BSTGB’s Ellis and Pollard take the lead…Onto lap one on the bikes and GB’s Dave Ellis is leading the way, with Satoru Yoneoka having been deposed from the head of the race.

11:17 AM BSTPara triathlon updateGB’s Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard have completed the swim leg in 4th, some 18 seconds down on leader Satoru Yoneoka.

10:44 AM BSTLauren Parker achieves Paralympic redemptionAustralia’s Lauren Parker has buried the pain of her Tokyo heartache, completing Paralympic redemption by sealing a gold medal in a dominant PTWC triathlon win.

Parker had to settle for silver in Japan three years ago after losing to American Kendall Gretsch by just one second.

Parker cruised through the opening leg of the triathlon, a 750m swim through the Seine, to establish an early lead of 52 seconds.

Gretsch moved up into second during the five-lap 20km hand cycle leg, gradually chasing down Parker across the Parisian cobbles.

However, Parker was in no mood to let up as she crossed Pont Alexandre III, bursting into tears as she crossed the finish line.

10:36 AM BSTGareth catches up with GB’s Urand

Just chatted to Henry Urand who finished fourth – alas – in the Men’s PTS3 and was disappointed to finish outside the podium but made up from 8th position in the last leg of the three disciplines.

Loved the venue. “Didn’t mind the delay to the event, it actually helped me, and never thought I’d say I raced down the Champs Elysee in a Paralympics. Friends and family were here too. Swallowed a bit of Seine water, I’ve tasted worse, and it wasn’t bitty.”

Urand added: “As a Formula 1 fan I wouldn’t have minded if we had had the event in Monaco, given the delays, but the setting was amazing. The cobbles were hard work on the bike, but overall great learning experience. It’s on to Los Angeles and Brisbane for me now hopefully.”

10:26 AM BSTHeartbreak for GBGreat Britain’s Henry Urand narrowly missed out on the podium in the men’s individual PTS3 triathlon this morning, finishing a minute behind bronze medallist Nico Van Der Burgt of the Netherlands.

The 21-year-old did para cycling at a national level before the making the switch to international para traithlons in 2023.

Daniel Molina of Spain won gold in 1:08.05 and Germany’s Max Gelhaar took silver in 1:08.05.

Great Britain’s Henry Urand in action – PA/ParalympicsGB

Urand completed the competition in a time 1:10:24 – PA/Zac Goodwin

10:19 AM BSTPetrillo through to T12 400m semi-finalThe final heat in the women’s T12 400m is underway with the first openly transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo in action. The Italian sprinter started strongly out of the blocks but Alexandra Paola Perez of Venezeala closed in on Petrillo around the final bend.

Perez decimated the heat and cruised into the semi-final with a time 56.97. Meanwhile, Petrillo finished second in her heat and progressed as the sixth fastest runner, in time of 58.35, just outside of a season best.

The Italian has qualified for this evening’s semi-finals in the women’s 400m T12.

Petrillo is the first openly transgender athlete to take part in the Paralympic Games – Getty Images/Ezra Shaw

The Italian sprinter’s participation in Paris has caused controversy – Getty Images/Ezra Shaw

10:09 AM BSTGareth on para-triathlon duty

Para triathlon has never enjoyed such a backdrop. Finally after the unsavoury water in the River Seine, this Monday morning race with very good spectator attendance – and many bemused Parisians being held up crossing squares on the way to work…

I’ll be speaking to our GB athletes throughout here.

09:48 AM BSTTransgender athlete in actionAn Italian sprinter will be the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympics later today.

Valentina Petrillo, 50, who transitioned in 2019, is a visually impaired runner and competes in the T12 200m and 400m sprints.

The 51-year-old previously won 11 national titles in the men’s category and her participation has caused controversy

Petrillo says she has learnt to deal with “jealousy” and has “nothing to fear” after concerns about her inclusion were raised by fellow athletes, including rival T12 runner Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt.

“Honestly, I can’t wait to be in Paris and race on that beautiful purple track and in front of all that enthusiastic crowd,” Petrillo said. “I think there will be a lot more love for me than I can imagine.

“It’s only fair that each of us can express ourselves in our own gender. Sport should teach us the value of inclusion and this is fundamental for people’s happiness.”

Valentina Petrillo is set to compete in the T12 200 and 400 metres in Paris – AP/Antonio Calanni

09:41 AM BSTMore medal chances produced in the swimmingEllie Challis coasts into the final of the S3 women’s 50m backstroke with an incredible time of 53.86.

Challis was Britian’s youngest medallist at the Tokyo Games when she won silver in the S3 50m backstroke aged 17 and she will hope to go one better in the final which takes place at 17:05 BST.

09:24 AM BSTGB targeting medal glory in wheelchair rugbyGreat Britain’s men’s wheelchair rugby team will be targeting a bronze medal from 12.30pm as they face Australia.

GB lost to the USA in the semi-finals on Sunday, beaten 50-40. Australia lost to Japan 52-51 in a thrilling contest. The semi-final match up was a repeat of the bronze-medal match at Tokyo 2020 in which Japan triumphed 60-52.

USA reversed the result of Tokyo 2020 final to earn gold medal shot – Getty Images/Steph Chambers

09:14 AM BSTPara triathlon is underwayPara triathlon has kicked off this morning after they were postponed by 24 hours because of poor water quality in the River Seine.

All 11 races had been due to take on Sunday but heavy rain in Paris caused water quality in the Seine to drop.

There will be about 120 athletes competing over a three-part course featuring a 750m swim in the River Seine and a 20km cycle down the famous Champ-Elysees, the Avenue Montaigne and Pont des Invalides. Athletes will then embark on a 5km run to the Quai d’Orsay before returning to Pont Alexandre.

Great Britain has 11 athletes competing across seven of the triathlon events at the Games. These include reigning PTS5 women’s champion Lauren Steadman, who looks to defend her title against team-mate Claire Cashmore.

Dave Ellis will look to finally win a Paralympic gold in the men’s PTVI, while Alison Peasgood will try to go one better in the women’s PTVI.

08:58 AM BSTOne to watch: Louise FiddesFiddes will be targeting her second medal of the Paralympics – her first gold medal when she competes in the women’s SB14 100m breaststroke, an event in which she took silver in Tokyo 2020.

The 23-year-old has already earned bronze in the S14 200m freestyle and will be joined by GB compatriot Olivia Newman- Baronius as qualifying gets underway this morning ahead of the final which takes place in the evening.

Can Louise Fiddes add to her medal tally at Paris 2024? – Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

08:44 AM BSTA look at the medal tableClick here to view this content.

Great Britain sit second in the table at the end of day four after a record breaking day at the Games. Great Britain celebrated their most successful day at the Paralympics this century with a 12 gold medals on a record-breaking super Sunday at Paris 2024.

Hannah Cockcroft won her fourth successive women’s T34 100m title to clinch GB’s first para-atheltics gold, ahead of team-mate Kare Adenegan before Sabrina Fortune produced a world record to win the women’s F20 shot put title at the Stade de France.

Three golds were won in the velodrome, as James Ball was victorious men’s B 1000m time trail gold, Sophie Urwin won in the women’s B 3000m individual pursuit, and there was open team sprint gold for Jody Cundy, Jaco van Gass and Kadeena Cox.

08:33 AM BSTWhat to watch on day fiveHere are some events to keep an eye out for on day five:

You can find our full rundown here.

Para swimming5:05pm-5:27pm: women’s 50m backstroke, S3 final; and men’s and women’s 100m breaststroke, SB14 final

More medals up for grabs for Paralympics GB this evening, with Ellie Challis and Harry Stewart hoping to secure a place on the podium on the backstroke and breaststroke finals

Para athletics7:44pm-8:15pm: women’s 400m, T12 round 1

Valentina Petrillo, the Paralympics’ first openly transgender runner, begins her Games campaign on Monday morning. Amid ongoing rows and controversy over her participation, there is sure to be interest in Petrillo’s first appearance on the track.

08:21 AM BSTJonnie Peacock will go for goldGood morning and welcome to today’s live coverage of the day five of the 2024 Paris Paralympic games. After a record-breaking day four of the Games in Paris, more British athletes will try and claim golds today, with Jonnie Peacock one of the several stars in action.

ParalympicsGB were able to celebrate 12 golds on Sunday, which was a new record for the most champions in a single day and bettered the previous high of nine in both Rio and Beijing.

Two-time Paralympic champion Peacock will go for gold in the men’s T64 100m final on Monday after he finished third in qualifying at the end of a joyful day four for Great Britain.

“I feel like I’m slowly getting there,” Peacock reflected, having claimed bronze in Tokyo three years ago.

“It is going to be a fight and I just have to try and get there.”

David Weir will also be in athletics action today in the men’s T54 1500m.

Meanwhile, it will be take two for Lauren Steadman after the triathlon was pushed back a day on Sunday due to more water quality issues in the river Seine.

Steadman will compete in the women’s PTS5 classification and aim to defend her 2020 Paralympics crown, but will have bronze medallist and ParalympicsGB compatriot Claire Cashmore for company.

The world, European and Commonwealth champion Dave Ellis will look to finally claim Paralympic gold in the men’s PTVI, while Rio 2016 silver medallist Alison Peasgood will try to go one better in the women’s PTVI.

There’s something for everyone today, with swimmer Louise Fiddes targeting gold in the S14 200m freestyle and more gold medal opportunities awaits ParalympicsGB in the badminton. Dan Bethell and Krysten Coombs will go for gold after they won their respective semi-finals.

Two-time Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock (left) will go for gold in the men’s T64 100m final – Getty Images/Tasos Katopodis

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