Paris, France (Aug. 30, 2024) – Canada collected six podium finishes in three different disciplines on Aug. 30, including two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, thanks to Alexandre Hayward of Quispamsis, NB, and Keely Shaw of Midale, SK.
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
After finishing third in qualification for the women’s C4 individual pursuit, Shaw, who had won silver in this event at Tokyo 2020, clocked 3:46.942m in the bronze final, contested against American Samantha Bosco. Australia’s Emily Petricola, the world record holder, was able to catch up with New Zealand’s Anna Taylor, putting her hands on the gold.
“I had so many doubts before the last round,” said Shaw. “I didn’t think I had what it took. So it was a race of pure mind games. It was about cutting my legs, cutting everything my body was telling me to stop, all the while knowing I couldn’t, and trying to remember that I have a pretty good track record when it comes to bronze medal finals, so I’m so happy to have been able to repeat and to see myself with the world’s best on the podium at the world’s biggest sporting event is a feeling I hope I never forget.”
In his very first Paralympic Games, paracyclist Alexandre Hayward, whose cycling career began in 2021, was able to get his hands on his first medal, winning bronze in the men’s C3 individual pursuit.
“I was proud of myself before I got here this morning,” said Hayward. “If I think about the feeling that has stuck with me the most over the last few weeks, it’s pride. I’m proud of myself and it’s like this isn’t even in my dreams. I feel like I’ve set my expectations too high. But at the same time, you know, this team, I’m literally surrounded by Paralympic and Olympic legends. It’s easy to imagine when all your teammates are doing it like it’s nothing. I’m really proud of it all.”
Great Britain’s Jaco Van Gass and Fin Graham won gold and silver.
The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships were held in Pal Arinsal, Andorra. Olympian Isabella Holmgren was able to add a new world title to her collection, having won the junior title in 2023, by winning gold in the U23 women’s cross-country short circuit (XCC) with a time of 20 minutes 31 seconds, just ahead of her sister Ava (+26s) in bronze. Ella MacLean-Howell (+22s) of Great Britain took silver. They were closely followed by Emilly Johnston (+31s), a U23 podium regular who finished fourth.
“It was a fun race, very tough, and to see Ava cross the finish line in third place was incredible,” said Isabella. Ava added: “I started last and knew I had to get a good start, but I got a bad start. I just tried to overtake as many people as possible and not go over the limit, which worked out well!”
In the junior category, Canadian racer Rafaëlle Carrier, in her first Mountain Bike World Championships, took silver in the Olympic cross-country, 36 seconds behind winner Viktoria Chladonova of Slovenia, who completed the course in one hour, one minute. They were joined on the podium by Slovenia’s Marusa Tereza Serkezi (+1:31m).
Road
Canadian 2024 Road Race Champion and Tour de France 2023 stage winner Mike Woods won stage 13 of the Vuelta a España. The win marks Woods’ third career Grand Tour stage victory.
Further information, including results and the full schedule of Paralympic Games events, is available on the official Games website, while Mel Pemble will be in action in the individual time trial on Aug. 31.
More information on the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships is available here. Tomorrow, the Canadians will be in action for the elite downhill finals.
The Vuelta a España continues until September 8. For more information on this Grand Tour, click here.
Media Inquiries: