GOLD
2.27.74 Sophie Pascoe, 21 (NZL)
SILVER
2.31.98 Katherine Downie, 18 (AUS)
BRONZE
2.32.09 Aurelie Rivard, 18 (CAN)
2.40.61 Madeleine Scott, 21 (AUS)
2.43.19 Katarina Roxon, 21 (CAN)
This was really a fight for second and third place as Sophie Pascoe, the World Record holder, is so far ahead of her contemporaries.
That was enough to raise this crowd to its feet though.
The main story here however is that the home nations have no entrants in this category. As it stands, so few entrants were scheduled for the heats that all participants automatically qualified for the final. While this has been noticeable in a few parasport competitions at these games, we obviously need to find and encourage people who fit these classifications. After these Games draw to a close we hope that some new kids have been inspired to ‘give it a go’.
In upcoming editions of Able Magazine we will be exploring how disabled people go about getting the confidence, the funding (if needed) and the information to get involved in grassroots sport. How can we find the disabled athletes of the future?
If you would like to be involved in these features please contact us.
Sophie PASCOE (NZL) – gold
On her performance:
“There have been some pretty average times for me on the world stage. It was about going out there and going for gold.”
On the possiblity of more para-sport events being added to future Commonwealth Games:
“I would like to see more races put in. Maybe Gold Coast 2018 will have some more races for us.”
On para-sport events being integrated into the competition schedule:
“It was a new challenge. A bigger team, a bigger environment and bigger support. It was a great environment to be in.”
On para swimming:
“I’d like to see more events put on maybe. I mean, look at them supporting each one of us (gesturing towards the crowd).”
Katherine DOWNIE (AUS) – silver
On the race:
“It was great and, as a bonus, I got a huge personal best (2min 31.98sec).”
On the final:
“Compared to other meets, this feels like an actual final. The atmosphere is brilliant.“
On comparing the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to the London 2012 Paralympic Games:
“I feel amazing like I did in London, but I don’t know if you can compare the two.”
On who is supporting her:
“I have eight people in the crowd for me. It feels like home.”
Sophie Pascoe (NZL) won the women’s 200m individual medley SM10 on Tuesday. She also won gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB9 at Glasgow 2014.
- Pascoe is the second athlete from New Zealand to win two gold medals at the Glasgow Games, after Sam Webster (NZL) in track cycling.
- New Zealand has now won six events in all sports. It has almost doubled its gold medal tally from Delhi 2010.
- New Zealand won three gold medals on Tuesday. The last time New Zealand won at least three gold medals on one day at the Commonwealth Games was in Manchester on 4 August 2002, when it won five gold medals.
About the athletes…
Sophie Pascoe, 21 (NZL)
Classification
S10, SB9, SM10
Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency
Origin of Impairment
Accident
Impairment Details
Her left leg was amputated below the knee at age two after her father accidentally reversed over her in a lawnmower accident. “I don’t think I’ve really recovered from it. You never get over something like that. It haunts me to this day,” her father Garry said.
Start of sporting career
She began swimming at age eight and competed internationally for the first time at age 11.
Reason for taking up this sport
In school she was able to swim faster than her able-bodied friends and realised she had a talent for the sport.
Ambitions
To compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Training
She swims up to 10 times a week, for two hours each session.
Katarina Roxon, 21 (CAN)
Classification
S9, SB8, SM9, T46
Start of sporting career
She began swimming at age five.
Reason for taking up this sport
Her parents enrolled her in swimming lessons because they thought it was something she needed to learn how to do.
Ambitions
To win a Paralympic medal in 2016 after finishing fifth at the 2012 Paralympic Games. “Just being fifth in the world, you know you’re two spots away from a medal. It definitely makes me want to push harder in my training now, so I can get a medal.”
Superstitions / Rituals
She always listens to music to help her get ‘pumped up’ before a race.
Sporting philosophy / motto
“Winning is not coming first, it’s knowing you’ve done your best,” which is a quote from her father.
Awards
She carried the Paralympic torch through St John’s, NL, Canada in the lead up to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
General
At age 15, she was the youngest Canadian swimmer at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Katherine Downie, 18 (AUS)
Classification
S10, SB9, SM10
Type of Impairment
Cerebral Palsy
Impairment Details
She was born with cerebral palsy.
Start of sporting career
She began swimming at age four.
Superstitions / Rituals
She has a yellow duck pillow that is a good luck charm.
Aurelie Rivard, 18 (Can)
Classification
S10, SB9, SM10
Impairment Details
She has an impairment in her left hand.
Start of sporting career
She began swimming as a child, and then competitively in 2008.
Sporting philosophy / motto
“I like pushing myself to the limit.”
General
She has a twin sister Charlotte, and the pair often train together.
Madeleine Scott, 21 (AUS)
Classification
S9, SB9, SM9
Start of sporting career
She began took up the sport at age 13 at the South Lake Dolphins club in Perth, WA, Australia
Reason for taking up this sport
“I always loved the water, my two older sisters swam competitively when I was younger and a few years later when I was a little older I thought I would jump in and give it a crack.”
Most influential person in career
Her family.
Superstitions / Rituals
She always wears a black hair lacky when she races.
Sporting philosophy / motto
“I don’t fail. I succeed at finding what doesn’t work.”
