Nasty crashes, gold medals, runner’s DQ: What you missed while sleeping

PARIS: Team Australia took its gold medal tally to five on day three of Paralympic competition, but the story of greatest significance to Australia was the disqualification that stripped distance runner Jaryd Clifford of a medal.
Other moments that defined day three in the French capital were wheelchair racing crashes and touching TV interviews.
Here’s what you missed of the Paralympics while you were sleeping.
The vision-impaired runner was left “shattered” after learning following the men’s T13 5000m final he had been disqualified.
He had crossed the finish line in third place, but the bronze medal did not belong to him.
Officials cracked down after deeming the tether, which is a small piece of rope, was not held by both Clifford and guide Matt Clarke as they crossed the finish line, Athletics Australia (AA) confirmed.
“I’m not just shattered for me; I’m shattered for them [his guides],” Clifford said at the Stade de France.
“They give everything for me out there.
“… That’s shit. I can’t see how they DQ’d us, but I’m sure there’s a reason, which makes me nervous.”
Australia’s Jaryd Clifford running with guide Matt Clarke in Paris. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Blue Mountains product Amanda Reid added another gold medal to the growing stash of track cycling golds Australia has won in Paris.
A day after Korey Boddington and Emily Petricola dominated on the velodrome, Reid enjoyed her own heroic moment when she clinched victory in the women’s C1-3 500m time trial.
Reid successfully defended the gold medal she won at Tokyo 2020.
“It’s an unreal feeling,” Reid, who has cerebral palsy, told Nine trackside.
“The last 12-plus months have been really rough for me, so to go back-to-back is just absolutely amazing.
“I try not to think about the race too much and just go for it when I ride. [I tell myself], ‘It’s two laps, go as fast as you can’.”
Australian track cyclist Amanda Reid won Paralympic gold in Paris. Getty Images
Six hours after Reid rocketed to glory in the two-lap dash on the velodrome, table tennis super duo Li Na Lei and Qian Yang combined for gold in the women’s doubles WD20.
The Chinese-born superstars defeated Taipei pair Tzu Yu Lin and Shiau Wen Tian 3-1, winning the sets 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 12-10.
Lei took her Paralympic gold medal tally to seven as Yang grabbed her second gold.
Both women immigrated from China and swapped their allegiance to Australia after Rio 2016.
“I’m so proud to represent Australia,” Lei told reporters after winning gold in Paris.
“I quite enjoy the Australian lifestyle and our Australian table tennis team is a lovely family. We support each other and all staff support me.
“… Australia is a multicultural country. We accept every culture.”
Lei has a deficiency in her right leg and Yang is missing half an arm.
Watch every moment, every medal of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now. Plus, every event streaming ad free, live and on demand with 4K on Stan Sport.
Li Na Lei and Qian Yang celebrate winning gold in table tennis. Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Those in attendance at the Stade de France witnessed a series of nasty collisions in wheelchair races.
One crash involved Swiss athletes Patricia Eachus and Manuela Schaer in the women’s T54 5000m final — a race in which Australian opening ceremony flag bearer Madison de Rozario secured bronze.
That crash occurred in the first 100 metres of the race and led to officials calling the athletes back for a restart.
Another crash involved Thailand’s Putharet Khongrak and the USA’s Brian Siemann in the men’s T54 5000m final.
That incident occurred in a frantic dash for the finish line.
In the immediate moments after Australian swimmer Jack Ireland snared bronze in the men’s 200m freestyle S14, Nine presenter Nick McArdle was in the Paris La Defense Arena stands to speak to the 25-year-old’s family.
Their reaction was priceless.
“I can’t even tell you right now what I’m thinking!” beamed his mum, Sharon, who was brimming with so much elation that she couldn’t sit still.
“That was incredible. That’s a PB [personal best], as well. It’s fantastic.
“He did his best, he did his best.
“It means the absolute world to Jack to have done this.”
Ireland’s grandmother, Denise, was also watching on proud as punch.
“That was just fantastic,” she said.
Over at the athletics track, the family of Australia’s Ella Hose delivered a heartwarming interview after the shot putter finished fourth and set a new personal best on her Paralympic debut.
“I love her, I love her so much,” said twin sister Jasmine, tears welling in her eyes.
“It made me emotional to see her on the world stage.”
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