BRIDIE LYNCH from Lifford in County Donegal created history on the fourth day of the Paralympics in Atlanta yesterday when she improved on her performance in Barcelona to capture the gold medal in the discus final for the visually impaired.
This was a remarkable achievement when one considers that the Russian world record holder could only finish third. The Irish Chef de Mission, Declan Ward was full of admiration for the Lifford woman's dedication. "Bridie was up against the Russian and she knew from Barcelona that it would take four hard years of training to get the gold medal.
"Actually, Bridie didn't throw up to her personal best, but it was enough on the day and in the end the Russian fell apart," said Ward. Lynch's winning throw of 37.14 metres came in the fifth round.
As the 31 year old left the field to make her way to the drug testing area the emotion of the occasion reduced her to tears. Although there were only something in the region of 10,000 spectators in the vast stadium, the Irish contingent made themselves heard and seen, with many tricolours draped around the arena.
Ireland just missed out on three medals in the field events, with Sean O'Grady, Michael Delaney and Garrett Culliton taking fourth in their respective events. O'Grady was particularly disappointed, with a mark of 9.44 metres leaving him just short of a medal in the shot putt for paraplegics.
On the track, despite the fact that he did not make it to the final, Martin McDonagh's reward was a personal best of 1:35.96 in the 400 metres semi final for Cerebral Palsy athletes. On the other hand, Heather O'Hare's 35.73 seconds in the women's 200 metre wheelchair semi final saw her into the final as a fastest loser.
The bowling green proved an unlucky surface for the four Irish participants. Brian Bagnall and Billy Behan in the wheelchair section and Frances Bell and Denis McMacken in the ambulant category all went out in their first round matches.
The Irish soccer team pulled themselves together commendably following a loss at the feet of the Russians to cause an improbable upset by beating the Brazilians in the second game of their group. Finbarr O'Riordan's first half goal was enough to resurrect Irish hopes of qualifying for the semi finals. With the Russians easily beating the host nation the Irish prospects look good. However, they need a win against the USA in the blistering midday conditions today to ensure a semi final place.
. Cardiff's Tanni Grey took revenge for her Paralympics 100 metres wheelchair defeat by Leann Shannon by defeating the 3 year old American to retain her 800 metres crown with a world record time of one minute 55.11 seconds.
It was one of four golds clinched by Britain on day three taking the country to third in the overall medals table with 11 gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze.
Also on the Atlanta track, David Holding won the 100 metres T53 in a new world record of 14.45 seconds and Stephen Payton took the 100 metres T37. In the pool, Jim Anderson claimed gold in the 52 100 metres freestyle.
A delighted Grey said I knew I had to go really hard to beat her (Shannon). I had a few guys on the training track pushing me at really high speeds and after that I felt really confident.
"My tactics were to stay behind her. On the back straight I felt really good. I took her on the final bend and then it was easy. It's nice to know I haven't lost it. I didn't want to come second again."
Grey had unsuccessfully appealed against Shannon's inclusion in the 100 metres T52 because of the steel rods supporting her spine, which allow her to be more upright and thus in a position of more strength over the shorter distances.
