Chinese swimmers broke the world record twice in a day, winning the mixed 4x50m medley relay to clinch China's 70th gold at the Paris Paralympics.
PARIS, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese swimmers triumphed over Team USA in the mixed 4x50m medley relay 20 points final at the Paris La Defense Arena on Thursday evening, securing the 70th gold for the Chinese delegation at the Paris Paralympics and solidifying their position at the top of the Games' medal table.
The Chinese team, consisting of Lu Dong, Zhang Li, Wang Lichao, and Guo Jincheng, finished with a time of 2:24.83, breaking the world record for the second time that day.
Just two hours earlier, Guo Jincheng had set a new world record in the men's 50m freestyle S5 final, earning his third gold medal of Paris 2024. His teammates Yuan Weiyi and Wang Lichao took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Guo, nicknamed the "armless flying fish," is recognized for his unique swimming style and his bold choice to compete without a swimming cap or goggles. "It feels quick. I was well-prepared before this competition, so I knew I could do it," said the 23-year-old Paralympic debutant.
On the athletics track, China's nine-time world champion Wen Xiaoyan claimed victory in the women's 100m T37 at Stade de France, clocking 12.52 seconds and setting a new Paralympic record.
This marked Wen's third gold medal at Paris 2024 and completed a sprint-jump treble for the second consecutive Paralympic Games, bringing her career total to eight gold medals since her debut at Rio 2016.
There was also a Paralympic record for Algerian athlete Safia Djelal, who defended her shot put F57 title. Wen's teammate, Yao Juan, added to China's medal tally by winning the Shot Put F64 gold medal, marking her sixth throwing title from the seven Paralympic Games in which she has competed, dating back to Sydney 2000.
Elsewhere, Türkiye defeated Israel 8-3 to win gold in women's goalball, while China claimed the bronze after defeating Brazil 6-0. On the men's side, Japan secured the title by beating Ukraine 4-3. Defending champions Curtis McGrath from Australia and British athlete Charlotte Henshaw are expected to dominate in para canoe.
Beyond the competition, there were heartwarming reunions. Four Ukrainian athletes, all raised in the same orphanage, were reunited with their former teacher at the Games. Badminton players Oksana Kozyna and Oleksandr Chyrkov, swimmer Anton Kol, and discus thrower Zoia Ovsii began their paths to sporting excellence at an orphanage in Dnipro, Ukraine. Their childhood mentor, Svitlana Shabalina, traveled to Paris to cheer on the "kids" she cared for as they competed for medals on the world stage.
In a similar reunion, fourteen years after performing a life-changing surgery to save Italian athlete Simone Barlaam's leg, Paris-based orthopedic surgeon Professor Philippe Wicart will be in the crowd on Friday to watch his former patient pursue a third Paralympic title.
"I tell all my patients about him," Wicart said. "Of course, I am proud of him. I feel so happy for him, and proud to be the one he came to see a long time ago." ■
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