- History made at the Tokyo Olympics
- Confirmed that at the matches in Paris
- Australia continues to perform well in cycling
Amanda Reid could not hide her joy as she continued Australia’s good form on the track and defended her Paralympic gold medal in the 500m time trial in the C1-3 class.
Reid secured one of Australia’s two gold medals in Paris on Saturday when table tennis duo Lina Lei and Qian Yang won their WD20 women’s doubles final against Chinese Taipei.
These back-to-back victories were extra significant for Reid, who became the first Indigenous Australian woman to win a gold medal three years ago in Tokyo.
The 28-year-old sprinted her two laps on Saturday in a time of 36.676, which will ensure she becomes Paralympic champion in four years’ time, up to and including Los Angeles.
Reid’s first place added to the two gold medals won by Korey Boddington and Emily Petricola 24 hours earlier at the National Velodrome in Paris.
Reid, who has cerebral palsy, told reporters the result was particularly satisfying as she had been struggling with a back injury for the past year.
“That was really amazing considering the 12-plus months I had,” Reid said.
‘I just wanted to go as fast as possible and in the end I won two golds in a row, which is amazing.’
Australia’s Amanda Reid on the podium after winning gold in the C1-3 500m time trial
Reid celebrates her emotional victory on the track with her team at the Paris Games
An emotional Reid confirmed her gold medal performance at the Tokyo Olympics in Paris
Reid added: “This will mean so much more, because of everything I’ve had to overcome.”
The cyclists’ capture came after Australian cyclists had sprinted earlier in the day at the Stade de France.
After Jaryd Clifford was disqualified for bronze, Madison de Rozario finished third in the T54 5000m final, before Michael Roeger took silver in the T46 1500m.
Elsewhere, in the La Defense Arena pool, Jack Ireland took a bronze medal and set an Oceanian record in the men’s 200m freestyle final, S14.
But it wasn’t until late in the evening that Australia claimed their second gold medal, when the Chinese-born duo of Lina and Qian won 11-7, 11-6, 2-11, 12-10.
Australia’s Michael Roeger (center) finishes second in the T46 1500m at Stade de France
Coach Maggie Meng said the strong personal bond between the two ensures they are always in tune with each other when they play against each other.
“They have been playing together at the table for years and outside of it they are the best of friends,” Meng said.
‘Qian has a strong mentality and Lina has so much experience.
“They play as one person, there are no gaps between them.”
It was Qian’s seventh Paralympic medal after the 28-year-old won three medals while competing for China.
Lina meanwhile claimed her 10th Paralympic medal and said the opportunity to do so alongside her childhood friend was extra meaningful.
“It’s exciting to win our first gold medal in doubles. It means something completely different for us, because last time in Tokyo we only won medals in singles,” Lina said.
‘I have received many medals, but I still feel a different meaning for myself every time. We are very good friends, we have known each other since Qian was a child.’