The Paralympic Games concluded in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 18. O&P News has coverage on the medal count and winners.
China led the final medal count with 239: 107 gold, 81 silver and 51 bronze. Great Britain had 147 medals: 64 gold, 39 silver and 44 bronze; the Ukraine had 117: 41 gold, 37 silver and 39 bronze; the United States, 115: 40 gold, 44 silver and 31 bronze; and for Australia, 81: 22 gold, 30 silver and 29 bronze.
From the United States, Andre Shelby, W2, won in the archery category for the men’s individual compound – open. In triathlon, Allysa Seely, PT2, and Grace Norman, PT4, each won gold.
In the cycling road category, William Groulx, H2, won the men’s road race; Jamie Whitmore, C3, won the women’s road race (C1-2-3); and Shawn Morelli, C4, won in the women’s time trial. In the cycling track category, Morelli won in the women’s C4 3,000-meter individual pursuit.
In athletics, gold winners included: David Brown, T11; and Gianfranco Iannotta, T52, who won in the men’s 100-meter race; Michael Brannigan, T20, who won the men’s 1500-meter race; Raymond Martin, T52, who won the men’s 400-meter and 1500-meter races; David Blair, F44, who won the men’s discus throw; and Roderick Roberts-Townsend, T46, who won the men’s high jump (T47) and long jump (T47). Also in the athletics category, Deja Young, T46, won gold in the women’s 100-meter (T47) and 200-meter (T47) races; Tatyana McFadden, T54, won the women’s 400-meter, 800-meter, 1500-meter and 5000-meter events; Breanna Clark, T20, won the women’s 400-meter event; and Rachael Morrison, F51, won in women’s discus throw (F52).
In swimming, gold winners included: Bradley Snyder, S11, who won the men’s 50-meter, 100-meter and 400-meter freestyle; and Roy Perkins, S5, who won the men’s 50-meter butterfly. Also in the swimming category, Elizabeth Marks, SB7, S8, SM8, won gold in the women’s breaststroke (SB7); Rebecca Myers, S13, SM13, won the women’s 100-meter breaststroke (S13), 400-meter freestyle (S13) and 200-meter individual medley (SM13); Mckenzie Coan, S7, won the women’s 50-meter, 100-meter and 400-meter freestyle; Michelle Konkoly, S9, won the women’s 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle; and Jessica Long, S8, SB7, SM8, won the women’s individual medley (SM8). The United States also took gold in women’s sitting volleyball and both in men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball.
According to parlaympics.org, Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee, said in the closing ceremony that the Paralympians’ exceptional performance focused the world on their sensational abilities and resolve.
“You defied expectations, re-wrote record books and turned ill-found pity into pride,” he said. “You are now heroes and role models for a new generation of sports fans from all over the world.”
The Paralympic Games will be held in Tokyo in 2020, according to the International Paralympic Committee. The games will feature 22 sports, with badminton and taekwondo included for the first time.
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