Gold rush continues in Beijing
Published Date:
13 September 2008
By Matt McGeehan
Great Britain continued the gold rush to keep pace with China at the top of the medals table after claiming six Paralympic Games titles in Beijing – including an emotional success for swimmer Liz Johnson.
The 22-year-old, from south Wales, capped another memorable day following victories by cyclists Rachel Morris, David Stone and Sarah Storey, her fellow swimmer Sam Hynd and the boccia team, by claiming Britain's 33rd gold of the Games.
Four silver medals and two bronze – including one for wheelchair racer Shelly Woods in the re-run 5,000m final – took Britain's total to 69, with only hosts China ahead in the standings with 37 golds and 109 medals in all.
Johnson went one better than she did in Athens, winning the women's SB6 100m breaststroke in one minute 41.87 seconds.
It was Johnson's first event of the Games and came 10 days after her mother Bonnie, 53, died of cancer on the day the team arrived in Beijing from the holding camp in Macau.
Johnson, who has cerebral palsy, said: "I've been fine all week, but I must admit it has been hard watching from the stands.
"This morning (for the heats) everybody let me get on with it, then this afternoon they were like 'Do it for your mum' and I was crying.
"I think she'll be happy."
The full article contains 229 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
13 September 2008 8:37 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Yorkshire
