1723: That brings Australia to second in the medal tally. A quick look at the table at it's:
China: 3 gold, 3 medals in total
Australia: 2 gold, 6 medals in total
GB: 1 gold, 2 medals in total
1725: I've got to admit as an Australian, the Olympics were hard to swallow. Very hard. But things are looking up. I've got a bet with a young Brit who may just be forced to wear a team Australia hockey kit by the end of these Games...
But who will you be backing? I want to hear you cheer for your countries people!
1734: Frankly Jammsy, I'll take whatever I can get. Now let us turn our attention to the Aquatic Center. Remember those 15 gold medals? They're about to make a BIG SPLASH.
1742: And we're off! The Women's Backstroke S6 in action.
1746: Incredible. Double arm-amputee Lu Dong powers home China's FOURTH gold medal.
1801: I gotta take a second to breathe people. But there's just no time. Up next, the Women's 400m freestyle S12. Watch this space...
1802: Halfway and GB's Hannah Russell leads. But Russia's Savchenko is hot on her heels...
1804: Home stretch and Savchenko takes the lead. Hear the roar for Britain's Russell!
1851: It sure is. Jessica Long has won the Women's 100m Butterfly S8. It brings the U.S's total number of medals to 3, and puts them fourth on the medal tally. Go Jess!
1935: But the Britons are hot on their heels. A quick look at the standings:
China: 5 gold, 13 medals in total
Australia: 3 gold, 7 medals in total
GB: 2 gold, 7 medals in total
1950: It's gold after gold in the pool tonight. Earlier we saw swimmer Jessica Long nab the U.S’s first gold at these Paralympics. It’s the eighth gold medal for the 20-year-old and the latest installement of an incredible story which began in an orphanage in Russia….
1951: From CNN’s Duarte Mendonca:
“Russian-born American Jessica Long managed to fulfil her – and the audience’s – expectations tonight by adding another gold medal to her Paralympic resume. It was her eighth since first competing at the 2004 Games in Athens.
Born in Siberia, Jessica was only 13 months when an American couple adopted her. Five months after settling in with her new parents, both legs were amputated due to a congenital condition that left her without most of her feet and lower legs.
Nonetheless, she learned to walk with prostheses. She practiced all kinds of different sports until coming to swimming. There, she quickly excelled, becoming one of US’s top Paralympians.
Now, at only 20 years old– quite young for an “Olympic veteran” – she is a current world record holder and who knows? You might even see her work her magic again…”
2024: The ladies are carving up the pool tonight. One of the most hotly anticipated competitors was South Africa's Natalie du Toit.
CNN's Duarte Mendonca gives us an insight into her incredible story:
"Natalie du Toit seems to know only one kind of medal…The gold one (well, and a silver too!)
Tonight’s win in the 100m Butterfly S9 marks Natalie’s 11th gold medal since first competing in Athens in 2004.
Born in South Africa, Natalie took up swimming when she was 14. Just three years later her life would take a tragic turn. Natalie was hit by a car while coming back from practice, forcing her leg to be amputated.
Three months after the accident, Du Toit was walking again and going to practice. Fast-forward a few years later, now 28-years-old, she is one of the strongest Paralympic swimmers at the Games.
Sad then, that she recently announced this will be her last."
2041: Swimming, swimming, swimming. What about the WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL I hear you ask? It's a nailbiter between Germany and GB over at the North Greenwhich Arena. Germany64-62 in this preliminary men's match...
