Alice Tai lands Paralympic bronze in 100m Backstroke

Swimming News

Alice Tai marked her Paralympic debut with S10 100m Backstroke bronze on day three of Rio 2016.


The 17-year old was swimming in lane four of the final, having qualified fastest from the morning heats.

And while Sophie Pascoe (1:07.04) and Hungary’s Bianka Pap (1:07.95) surged clear to take gold and silver in the final, Tai held off Canada’s Aurelie Rivard to touch in 1:09.39.

Tai said: “I never thought that was possible. I never even expected to make the team at the start of the year, it’s crazy.

“Four years ago I was trying to get a picture with Sophie and now I’m on a podium with her, I look up to her so much and it’s a dream come true what’s happening to me right now.

“I’m rooming with Ellie Robinson and what she did was so inspiring. I think there are some big celebrations ahead when we finish our competitions.”

Robinson and Simmonds thwarted despite solid swims

Ellie Robinson and Ellie Simmonds missed out on medals in the S6 50m Freestyle. All of the swimmers seemed slightly slow off the blocks, but Simmonds and Robinson just couldn’t keep up with the top three.

Having landed 50m Butterfly gold 24 hours earlier, 15-year old Robinson was the first of the English pair home, touching in 35.24 to finish fourth.

Boldmere swimmer Simmonds was sixth overall, finishing the race in 35.54.

Robinson said: “It felt great to get back in the pool. This wasn’t my best event, I’ve had that already, so it was like a little warm-up for Tokyo in four years time. After winning my gold this is my bonus Paralympics now.

“I felt confident coming in knowing that I was swimming well and on form but these Games are so unpredictable and you never know where you are going to finish.”

Image credit: SWpix

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