Goldrush in Rio as girls take on world and win
THE town’s paralympic athletes have scored themselves a triple gold in Rio – with more yet to come.
Dame Sarah Storey and Sophie Thornhill, who are both from Poynton, each won a gold in the velodrome, and runner Libby Clegg, who was born in Bollington, came out on top in the women’s 100m T11 on Saturday.
Libby was hoping to add another medal to the haul as the Express went to press last night (Tuesday, September 13) when she competed in the Women’s 200m T11 final.
And Libby’s brother, Stephen, is still going for gold in the pool, with three more events yet to take place.
It was a record breaking games for Storey, who lives in Disley with husband Barney and their three-year-old daughter Louisa, who has become the UK’s most decorated Paralympic athlete of the modern era.
The 38-year-old won her 12th gold medal im the C5 three-kilometres individual pursuit.
Storey began her Paralympic career as a swimmer, winning five gold, eight silver and three bronze medals.
And since switching to the bike for Beijing 2008, she has won a further seven gold medals.
She said: “To go quicker than London after having my daughter Louisa is the icing on the cake.
“You can never underestimate anyone on the other side of the track. It’s amazing and I don’t think it will sink for a very long time.”
Twe n t y - y e a r - o l d Sophie Thornhill, who won gold in the Women’s B 1,000m time trial with pilot Helen Scott, also collected a bronze for her efforts in the Women’s B 3000 Individual Pursuit.
Tweeting after the competition she said: “Words can’t describe today! Paralympic champions! What a feeling! Incredible!”
Stephen Clegg, 20, made his Paralympic debut at Rio, but narrowly missed out on reaching the final of his first event.
He will now compete in the Men’s 100m Backstroke S12 today (Wednesday, September 14); the Men’s 100m Freestyle S13 next Friday, (September 16); Men’s 50m Freestyle S12 on Saturday, (September 17).
The leader of Cheshire East Council has hailed the athletes’ successes.
She said: “I am sure that everyone in Cheshire East will join me in congratulating each and every one of our local athletes on their tremendous success.
“We are all very proud of what they have achieved on the world stage and these incredible results are testament to their dedication and the hard work they have put in over many, many years.
“I hope they really enjoy their much-deserved medals and sense of achievement!”