Superb silver medal for Sammi in Paris – as Melanie clocks PB for sixth

Sunday 1st September 2024

Samantha Kinghorn opened up her Paralympics 2024 campaign in Paris with another big podium moment.

The Scot pushed hard for a superb silver medal in the Women’s T53 800m final in the Stade de France.

Only a few minutes later, Sammi’s Paralympics GB team-mate, Melanie Woods, took sixth place in the T54 800m final with a PB performance – her second of the day after also posting a PB in the heats.

In the T53 Women’s 800m final, Swiss athlete Catherine Debrunner won the race in a new Paralympic Record at 1:41.04. Sammi pushed 1:42.96 to finish well clear of the rest in second place.

Congratulations to Sammi, her family, coach Rodger Harkins and all with Paralympics GB in Paris.

‘I came fourth in Tokyo, so to get a silver today was incredible,’ she said.

‘Catherine (Debrunner) is amazing. I was staying with her around the bend, but her endurance was a little better. But I put myself out there to see how close I could get. It’s definitely the closest I have been all year.

‘I have worked incredibly hard for this. For me, I won my first Paralympic medals in Tokyo and it was amazing but, genuinely, if I had come fourth today just the fact that my Mum and Dad and family and friends were there was enough for me.’

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Melanie in action in Paris (photo via British Athletics)

Melanie had reached her final after a third place finish in the heats with a PB at 1:45.81.

Remarkably, the Scot brought that down to 1:43.85 in the final but there was something of a blanket finish from silver to sixth come the end of an enthralling two-lap race.

Swiss athlete Manuela Schaer had the big finish to win in another Paralympic Record.

Well done to Mel and good luck for the remaining events.

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Tags: Melanie Woods, Paris 2024, Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Samantha Kinghorn