London 2012 Paralympics Blog

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London 2012 Paralympics Blog

3rd & 7 37yd

2157: Some words now from Terezinha Guilhermina, the shiniest athlete at the Games thanks to her glittery attire and two gold medals.

Here are the Brazilian's thoughts after recovering from a fall on Tuesday to head a 1-2-3 for her country in the women’s 100m T11 final:

"It was very important to run again today. Today I showed to the whole world how strong I am and how well I can do.

"I did my best to win the gold medal. It's like a present, a miracle to get the gold medal. It's very special after what happened yesterday. I will go back to Brazil, happy and laughing. God knows how good it is to get in this place.

"Brazil waited for these medals because there were three runners in the final. Today I am smiling and I hope that this will inspire the children."

by tom.mcgowan 9/5/2012 8:57:30 PM
Having just visited the States, who is covering the Paralympics? Yes there is a National eleciton going on! Please these atheletes are newsworthy. A nation that breathes sport must surely take merit from its disabled that match able-bodied in will. Who is responsible for achievement?

by Tracy edited by Lauren Said-Moorhouse 9/5/2012 9:03:09 PM
@Tracy It is our pleasure, Tracy! Don't forget readers, we want your questions for U.S. Paralympic gold medalist Mallory Weggemann. Use the comment box, tweet me directly on Tom McGowan or use the #CNNParalympics.

by tom.mcgowan 9/5/2012 9:19:37 PM
Just want to be at the paralympics now!

by mariellaoakes via twitter 9/5/2012 9:20:46 PM
2230: So, after seven days of medal winning across the Games, let’s have a look at the medal table. No prizes for guessing which country tops the charts, China are way out ahead with 159 medals and 60 golds. Russia have stormed up into second place with 28 golds and 73 medals in total, while the hosts Britain are sitting in third with 25 golds and 92 medals overall.

by tom.mcgowan 9/5/2012 9:30:41 PM
had an incredible time working at the paralympics met so many amazing peeps and had unbeatable experiences wouldn't swap it for the world:D

by G_Anelay via twitter 9/5/2012 9:31:15 PM
2232: I don’t know about you, but I think it is high time we had a selection of the best images Day Seven has offered up…

by tom.mcgowan 9/5/2012 9:32:19 PM
1005: For me, London 2012 has been all about the LADIES. Last night we saw 'The Beast' Tatyana McFadden take her second gold in the T54 800m. And in just a few hours time GB cyclist Sarah Storey will be going for her FOURTH gold.

CNN's Lauren Moorhouse takes a look at the leading women of these Paralympics.

Who gets your vote for the best female athlete these Games?

by sheena.mckenzie 9/6/2012 9:05:42 AM
1008: But around the watercooler this morning there is just one race on everyone's lips...

by sheena.mckenzie 9/6/2012 9:09:37 AM
Who will take tonight’s T44 100m crown?
Credit: Getty Images.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/6/2012 9:16:39 AM
1025:Has there ever been a stronger line-up? I think not. I mean, we’re only looking at:

Oscar Pistorius, 2008 champion
Alan Oliveira, 200m champion
Jerome Singleton, 2011 world champion
Jonnie Peacock, world record holder
Arnu Fourie, T44 200m world record holder
Blake Leeper, 200m bronze medallist.

Excited much?

by sheena.mckenzie edited by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 9:25:20 AM
1035: We asked you who you thought would win tonight's T44 100m. The overwhelming answer? Oscar Pistorius.

Sure, he helped South Africa take the 4x100m relay. But judging by Peacock's blistering performance last night I'm guessing this guy is going to fly like a bird.

Thoughts? Leave a comment or tweet me at Sheena McKenzie.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/6/2012 9:36:19 AM
In two years, Jonnie Peacock has shaved 1.45secs off his T44 100m PB. He was still learning how to run on a blade in 2010. #ThrillerThursday

by pranav_soneji via twitter 9/6/2012 9:48:36 AM
1054: The Men's Discus F/51/52/53 final is well underway. Tunisia's Mohamed Zemzemi is leading the pack with a throw of 10.93m. If he does end up taking gold, let's hope he gets to keep it. Unlike this woman...

by sheena.mckenzie 9/6/2012 9:54:55 AM
Great Britain drew 1-1 against China in the five-a-side football, with GB losing in a penalty shoot out
Credit: Getty Images.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/6/2012 2:18:31 PM
1526: It was a beautiful moment yesterday to see Italian Alex Zanardi take gold in the H4 Handcycling Time Trial. The former Formula One driver lost both his legs in a motor racing crash in 2001.

He told CNN's Sarah Holt: "I haven't wasted many opportunities that fate gave me. I've certainly had many more opportunities than I deserved, but luckily enough I ended up making the right choices."

Read his incredible story here.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/6/2012 2:27:24 PM
Helena Lucas celebrates Great Britain’s first gold medal in the sailing, winning the single person keelboat event
Credit: Getty Images.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/6/2012 2:30:03 PM
Sarah Storey dominated the field to storm to a fourth London 2012 cycling gold medal in the women’s C4-5 road race.

The Briton now has 11 Paralympic gold medals, drawing her level with former wheelchair racer Tanni Grey-Thompson as her country’s finest Paralympian.

Storey’s speed was such that she caught up with the men’s C1-3 road race, which had set off two minutes prior to the women’s event.

The 34-year-old, who also won medals as a Paralympic swimmer earlier in her career, finished nearly seven minutes ahead of Polish silver medalist Anna Harkowska, with American Kelly Crowley taking bronze.

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 3:25:23 PM
Natalie du Toit wins a 13th Paralympic gold medal.
Credit: Getty Images.

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 5:20:35 PM
1827: Where football is concerned, the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is about as fierce as it gets. The two South American nations collided in the semfinals of the 5-a-side blind football tournament.

The match was tight and tense, with the score 0-0 at full time, meaning a penalty shootout. It was Brazil who progressed to a final with France, although there are lingering fitness doubts surrounding star player Jefinho:

"I hope I am going to be all right for the final," he said. "I am working hard to make it better.

"We are always confident. We played France in our first match but we didn't score. We are going to improve it and get the goals.

"My dream is very close to coming true. It is hopefully only another 15 minutes and then we will get Brazil the gold, if everything goes well."

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 5:27:45 PM
1907: A potentially huge story is brewing ahead of the T44 100m final – which I am going to dub “The greatest Paralympic final of all time”!

Alan Oliveira, the Brazilian who stunned Oscar Pistorius in the 200m final, looked to pull up as he crossed the line at the end of last night's men’s 4 x 100m relay heats.

As a result, Oliveira is a major doubt ahead of the final, which will take place at 2124 London time. Yet more tension ahead of the race, I’m not sure how much more I can take!

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 6:07:24 PM
by WoodCathy via twitter 9/6/2012 6:10:38 PM
2111: All of us! In a few minutes time, hometown hero David Weir goes for a third gold medal of the Games in the men’s T54 800m final. But still to come, the most-hyped race in Paralympic history. It’s Pistorius vs. Peacock vs. Singleton vs. Oliviera. It’s the men’s T44 100m final. It’s just over 15 minutes away. The tension is almost unbearable on the CNN Paralympic blog, how are you faring at home?

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 8:11:57 PM
2116: Great Britain’s David Weir is announced to the crowd, the roar is deafening. We’re under starter’s orders…

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 8:16:33 PM
David Weir #inspirational #Paralympics

by Corbett_27 via twitter 9/6/2012 8:23:02 PM
Mahmoud Khaldi explodes upon sealing gold in the men’s 400m T2 final.
Credit: Getty Images.

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 9:47:38 PM
Raw emotion on the face of Alessio Sarri after winning bronze in wheelchair fencing.
Credit: Getty Images.

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 9:49:39 PM
Britain’s Jonnie Peacock salutes his adoring public.
Credit: Getty Images.

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 9:50:43 PM
2252: But, despite his Games record-equalling run, Peacock is not my Paralympian of the Day. Instead, I’m going for the man who made this all possible, the man who inspired many, including Peacock, to take up Paralympic sport…

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 9:52:28 PM
Oscar Pistorius. In many ways, tonight was the most important of the South African’s achievements. Pistorius finishing outside of the 100m medals proved that the Games is now about more than the “Blade Runner.” But a final of such global appeal would have been impossible without him. His contribution to the Paralympic movement should never be underestimated or forgotten.
Credit: Getty Images.

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 9:56:44 PM
@tom.mcgowan: you're absolutely correct, Oscar Pistorius is indeed a pioneer and legend.

by Dr Olu Bamgbade 9/6/2012 9:59:14 PM
2300: And with that the curtain comes down on a truly unforgettable night, the likes of which the Paralympic Games has never seen before. Ladies and gentlemen, it has been an honor and a privilege to guide you through such a momentus Paralympic evening. I cannot wait for tomorrow. I’ll see you bright and early in the morning. Goodnight!

by tom.mcgowan 9/6/2012 10:01:05 PM
1256: For those of you hoping for a shock in the women’s wheelchair tennis final, it’s not looking likely. Esther Vergeer, looking for a 470th win in a row, has won the first set against fellow Dutchwoman Aniek van Koot 6-0 in just 23 minutes.

Is there any point in sending opponents out against her? Just give her the gold medal at the Opening Ceremony, that’s what I say.

by tom.mcgowan 9/7/2012 11:57:01 AM
Wildan Nukhailawi threw his way to a bronze medal in the men’s javelin F40 final.
Credit: Getty Images.

by tom.mcgowan 9/7/2012 12:01:31 PM
London is always the greatest city on earth, its just nice when the sun comes out to remind us. #Paralympics #Summer #HOT #GoodLuckEveryone

by ChelseaDagger_ via twitter 9/7/2012 12:26:14 PM
London 2012. Putting a stamp on it. Marlow gets golden postbox after Naomi Riches' Paralympics win. About time too. t.co

by themarketingdir via twitter 9/7/2012 2:13:43 PM
by SarahHoltGames via twitter 9/7/2012 2:15:50 PM
Marianna Davis of the USA took the women’s H1-3 road race crown.
Credit: Getty Images.

by tom.mcgowan 9/7/2012 2:29:05 PM
Esther Vergeer breaks down in tears after win: "Everybody just expects me to win gold, but I still have to do it out there." #C4Paralympics

by SarahHoltGames via twitter 9/7/2012 2:34:30 PM
1702: All right, it's far too late in the game not to be worded up on classifications. Still grappling with T44 and S9? Try British newspaper The Guardian's A to Z guide or Channel 4's Lexi guide.

Now you've got no excuse.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/7/2012 4:03:31 PM
1816: Barely time to catch your breath...How am I going to eat dinner?! More importantly, U.S.A's Bill Snyder has just won his second gold in the S11 400m Freestyle.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/7/2012 5:16:54 PM
The gold are coming thick and fast in the pool. China's Xu Qing breaks a new world record in the Men's S6 50m Butterfly with a time of 29.90

by sheena.mckenzie 9/7/2012 5:33:17 PM
1838: Zanardi Alert: He's done it.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/7/2012 5:39:08 PM
1841: C'mon we all know what I'm talking about. But just in case, the Italian ex-Formula One driver has just won his second Paralympic gold in the Men's Ind. H4 Road Race. Want to know more? Check out CNN's Sarah Holt's feature on the great man himself.

by sheena.mckenzie 9/7/2012 5:42:17 PM
RT @AlanHydeStudio: Alex Zanardi does it again! Even a Hollywood script couldn't dream up the details of this story..especially the loca ...

by EmBuxton via twitter 9/7/2012 5:47:05 PM