Rio 2016: Katie Kelly, Maddison Elliott win Paralympics gold for Australia
#News: Katie Kelly has won gold for Australia in the PT5 triathlon at the Paralympics, while Maddison Elliott has also topped the podium at the pool in Rio.
Kelly and her guide Michellie Jones, who won silver in the women’s triathlon at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, beat home British pair Alison Patrick and Melissa Reid to claim victory at Rio’s Copacabana beach
in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 18 seconds across the swim (750 metres), cycling (22.28km) and run (5km) legs.
Elliott won gold in the S8 100m freestyle final in a Paralympic record time of 1:04.73, with Lakeisha Patterson (1:05.08) adding a silver to her victory in Friday’s (AEST) 400m freestyle final.
Meanwhile, Kurt Fearnley, Taylor Doyle and Angie Ballard managed podium finishes for Australia in track and field, as did Erik Horrie in rowing, and Tim Disken and Daniel Fox at the swimming.
Kelly was elated to win gold after being troubled by injury in the build-up to Rio.
“I was saying to Michellie that it’s something that you wish for, but these triathlon competitions I never take it for granted and it’s hard work out there. You can’t underestimate how hard it is to get there,” Kelly told APC Media.
“So when Michellie said, ‘KK, we’re going to get on that blue carpet (finish line) – you can enjoy it,’ I thought ‘No, I’m going to get to the finish line first’.
“I’m just really honoured and chuffed, and to do that in para-triathlon here in Rio is a really special moment.
“When I crossed the finish line I felt relieved. I’ve just been through such an intense training, and to keep the body in shape it takes so much.”
Jones said assisting Kelly in Rio meant more than her silver at the Sydney Olympics.
“This is so much better because when I think of everything KK has been through and to be able of doing everything she’s done in such short amount of time,” she said.
“To me this is the best thing that I’ve ever done.”
In other triathlon results, Claire McLean finished fourth in the women’s PT4 event with fellow Australian Kate Doughty placing fifth.
