Irish Para Athletes Shine at Paralympic Games Despite Challenges
On the fifth day of competition at the Paralympic Games, Irish athletes delivered a series of commendable performances across various disciplines, showcasing resilience and determination.
In the PTVI Para Triathlon, sisters Chloe and Judith MacCombe, along with their guides Catherine Sands and Eimear Nicholls, secured sixth and eighth places, respectively. This marked their debut at the Paralympic Games, with both athletes giving their all in a fiercely contested race. Chloe MacCombe, guided by Catherine Sands, finished with a time of 1:10:32, just 2 minutes and 13 seconds shy of a podium finish. Reflecting on the race, Chloe expressed her pride, noting that they “absolutely nailed it” despite the physical toll.
Judith MacCombe, who had been battling illness in the days leading up to the race, put in a heroic effort to finish in 1:11:17, just 45 seconds behind her sister. Despite her challenges, Judith was grateful just to be on the start line, crediting the extra day of recovery as a crucial factor in her ability to compete.
Elsewhere, Cassie Cava competed in the PTS4 Para Triathlon, placing twelfth. She faced immense physical challenges during the race, including an injury sustained before the start, but managed to push through the pain to finish.
In Para Swimming, Deaten Registe made waves in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB14, securing a spot in the final with a time of 1:08:49. Competing against some of the world’s best, including a World Record holder, Registe’s performance in his heat earned him a place in his first Paralympic final, an achievement he described as a dream come true.
Para table tennis player Colin Judge faced a tough challenge against China’s Feng Panfeng, the world number one. Despite a valiant effort, Judge was unable to advance past the round of 16, but he remained proud of his performance against a player he has admired since childhood.
On the track, Shauna Bocquet competed in the Women’s T54 1500m heat, finishing sixth in a tactical race that saw her narrowly miss out on a place in the final. Bocquet remains optimistic and is looking forward to her final race at these Games.
In cycling, Katie George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal won silver in the Women’s B 3000m Individual Pursuit, capping off a stellar day at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome. Despite being close to gold, the duo were ecstatic with their silver medal, reflecting on the hard work and pressure that brought them to this point. Meanwhile, Martin Gordon and Eoin Mullen finished fifth in the Men’s B 1000m Time Trial, setting a new Irish national record in the qualifying round.
In Para Rowing, Katie O’Brien and Tiarnán O’Donnell finished second in the B Final of the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls, placing eighth overall. Both athletes expressed their gratitude for the support they received and the pride they feel in representing Ireland on the Paralympic stage.
The scheduled triathlon events were postponed due to concerns about water quality in the River Seine. The events have been rescheduled for Monday, pending further testing.
The Irish athletes continue to inspire with their performances, demonstrating incredible spirit and determination on the world stage.