Rio 2016 Paralympic Games day-by-day guide

24 August 2016

Day 1 – Thursday 8th September

Spotlight on
Dame Sarah Storey a gold medallist in the pool and on the bike is back and looking to add to her already impressive list of honours, including 11 Paralympic Gold medals and 72 world records. It’s hard to see past Sarah continuing her unrivalled success in the individual C5 pursuit.

Also look out for

Megan Giglia (20.30) who only three years after taking her first steps into Paralympic cycling could become the first Gold medallist for ParalympicsGB. It could be a golden day for the team with a number of London 2012 Gold medal heroes in action. Oliver Hynd (2144) in the S8 400m freestyle, Bethany Firth (2316) S14 100m backstroke and Jonathan Fox (0044) S7 100m backstroke will all be hoping to repeat their success of four years ago. Hynd and Firth will face competition from British medal contenders Josef Craig (S8 400m freestyle) and Jessica-Jane Applegate (S14 100m backstroke).

Outside bet
20 year old Scottish wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn (T53, 100m) has been making steady progress over the last two years and has a good chance for a medal. After a fifth place in the 2014 Commonwealth Games she went on to win three Gold medals at the IPC European Championships and just a year later took bronze at the IPC Athletics World Championships.

GB vs The World
The number one ranked team in 7-a-side football, Ukraine kick off the tournament with a group game against Ireland. They’ll be a team to keep an eye on as GB progress through the tournament.

Did you know?
Sarah Storey became our most successful female Paralympian at London in 2012 but she has the chance to break the record for the number of Gold medals by a British female Paralympian. She currently remains tied on 11 with Baroness Grey-Thompson.

 

Day 2 - Friday 9th September

Spotlight on

He lit up the Olympic Stadium in Stratford with an electric performance winning the T44 100m, setting a new Paralympic record in the process and four years later Jonnie Peacock will step onto the track attempting to repeat his success (2353). It could be the quickest final of all time with a number of rivals all capable of running sub-11 seconds.

Also look out for
Londoner Ali Jawad, who endured a tough time in London 2012 where a judge’s decision denied him a medal in powerlifting at his home games. He goes in the -59kg (Session time is 20:00 – 21:10 ). It will also be a strong day for the women of ParalympicsGB as Libby Clegg (T11 100m, 22:52), Steph Slater (s8 100m butterfly, 00:32) and Georgina Hermitage (T37 100m 21:36) will all be aiming for gold. Stef Reid could also medal in the T44 long jump and will be a regular studio guest for Channel 4 during the Games after she has competed.

Outside bet
Zoe Newson only competed in her first Paralympic Games in 2012 winning Bronze and could once again be competitive in the -45kg powerlifting category (Session: 14:00 – 15:10) after achieving silver at the IPC Powerlifting European Championships in 2015.

GB vs The World
Jonnie Peacock is the reigning Paralympic champion but even with the absence of his great rival Richard Browne he will face a big test from home favourite Alan Oliveira and Felix Streng from Germany. It’s a loaded final with American Jarryd Wallace and Arnu Fourie the South African bronze medallist from London 2012 both capable of going under 11 seconds. It’s a day for sprinting battles as Libby Clegg will go head-to-head with Terezinha Guillhermina – expect the home crowd to be making plenty of noise on day 2.

Did you know?
Kadeena Cox was a promising track sprinter before suffering what was initially thought of as a stroke before she was later diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

 

Day 3 - Saturday 10th September

Spotlight on
‘Hurricane Hannah’ Cockroft, a star of Paralympic athletics goes for her first Gold in the T34 1OOm (22062242). The golden girl from Halifax is aiming for three gold medals in Rio and after finding an extra level of motivation when she lost for the first time in over 300 races last year there’s a high chance she’ll achieve her goal.

Also look out for
Everyone loves the Paralympics for the variety of sports on show. Matt Skelhon who lost the use of his legs in a car accident will compete in the R3 mixed 10m air rifle prone (1545) and is one of the favourites for Gold. There is plenty of British interest in the triathlon a new sport for Rio, as well as some exciting football in the 7-a-side where Ireland take on Brazil (2300).

Outside bet
Judo is a strong sport for GB in Rio and Sam Ingram will be aiming for a medal in the -90kg (1930-2020). The veteran of two Paralympics has a Bronze from Beijing and silver from London. He’d love to medal at a third Games.

GB vs The World
17 year old Alice Tai won bronze for the S10 100m backstroke at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships and will be a major medal contender in Rio. She has progressed in every competition she has entered but will face stiff competition from Sophie Pascoe of New Zealand who has 10 swimming medals from two Paralympic Games.

Did you know?
Powerlifter Micky Yule, competing in the -65kg category, became the first Brit to win a Gold medal at the 2016 Invictus Games earlier this year. The former Staff Sergeant in the Royal Engineers even received special praise from Prince Harry.

Day 4 - Sunday 11th September

Spotlight on
Richard Whitehead, the man with the muscles, created one of London 2012’s most iconic images when he broke the T42 200m world record and will be looking to add to his medal tally (2332) at the age of 40.

Also look out for

Lauren Steadman, the former swimmer could make history as she goes for Gold in Triathlon’s first appearance in a Paralympic Games (PT4, 1400). The GB rowing team will also be aiming for Gold in the LTA mixed coxed fours final (1450). Whilst Bethany Firth and Jessica-Jane Applegate go head-to-head in the S14 200m freestyle.

Outside Bet
Paul Karbardak and David Wetherill have both positioned themselves nicely in the world rankings and stand a good chance of challenging for a medal in the men’s class 6 individual competition. (Semi-finals 1415 – 1500)

GB vs The World
Steph Millward (GB) and Jessica Long (USA) will continue the dual between the two powerhouse swimming nations as they go for Gold in the S8 100m freestyle. Steph Millward is favourite to win the title but expect Long and Maddison Elliott (AUS) will push her close.

Did you know?
Outside of her sporting interests Lauren Steadman is a talented dancer with a love for ballroom dancing.

 

Day 5 - Monday 12th September

Spotlight on
The nations sweetheart Ellie Simmonds will take to the blocks in the SM6 200m IM (2348) where she is aiming to win yet another Gold. Still only 21, Ellie is a ‘veteran’ of two Paralympics, Beijing and London, where she won two Gold medals in each.

Also watch out for
London 2012 bronze medallist Aled Davies goes in the F42 shotput (1458) attempting to get the Gold this time around. There could also be Gold medals for Will Bayley (Class 7 Table Tennis), the ageless Sascha Kindred (SM6 200m IM, 2339) and in Boccia (BC1-2 Mixed Team, 2320).

Outside bet
Sam Ruddock ran a personal best in the T35 200m heats at London 2012 but failed to make the final. He switched to field events and in 2015 came fifth in the IPC World Championships in shotput. If his progress continues he could be one to watch for medals in Rio.

GB vs The world
The group game between GB and Ireland in the 7-a-side football is a must see. Jack Rutter a former Birmingham City graduate captain’s the team from GB, who are an outside bet for a medal.

Did you know?
Sam Ruddock was spotted playing American Football at Loughborough University by sprint coach Joe McDonnell. He made the transition to track and field to make his Paralympic debut at London 2012.

 

Day 6 - Tuesday 13th September

Spotlight on
The outstanding David Weir will likely take to the track in the final of the T54 1500m, an event he won Gold at London 2012. It’s a competitive field but David Weir loves the big stage and will be aiming for nothing short of Gold again.

Also watch out for
A large contingent of British athletes will be going for Gold on day 6. Among them are Georgie Hermitage (T37 400m) competing in her first Paralympic Games, Hollie Arnold (F46 Javelin), Ellie Simmonds (S6 400m freestyle), Matt Wylie (S9 50m freestyle) and Rob Davies in the table tennis (Class 1) which could mark a successful day from the ParalympicsGB table tennis team.

Outside bet
Paul Davies, bronze medallist in table tennis at London 2012, will be hoping to add to his medal tally. His doubles team mate Rob is favourite for Gold, but Paul’s experience could tell at the important moments.

GB vs The World
David Weir will go against a packed field in the T54 1500m, including current world champion Rawat Tana and his old rival Marcel Hug. Libby Clegg will continue her rivalry with Brazilian Terezinha Guillhermina this time in the T11 200m.

Did you know?
Georgina Hermitage quit sport at the age of 14 but was inspired by London 2012 and the desire to leave a legacy for her daughter. She decided she wanted to aim for the Paralympics and in 2015 broke the world record for the T37 400m.

 

Day 7 – Wednesday 14th September

Spotlight on

ParalympicsGB wheelchair rugby squad will face Australia in their opening group game of the tournament. Australia are 2nd in the world rankings but it’s going to be a close fought encounter, particularly as GB recently won the European Championships in 2015.

Also look out for

The pool will play host to many medal hopefuls on day seven, starting with Claire Cashmore who will be eager to better her Silver from 2012 in the SB8 100m breaststroke (2136), followed by Michael Jones in the S7 400m freestyle (2144) making his Paralympic debut and looking to grab a piece of silverware. Aaron Moores, a 2012 Silver medallist, and Paralympic debutant Scott Quin, will go head to head in the SB14 100m breaststroke (2206), shortly followed by Paralympic Gold medallists Bethany Firth and Jessica-Jane Applegate in the SB14 100m breaststroke (2213). Three-time London 2012 Paralympic medallist Hannah Russell is also one to keep an eye one in the pool as she competes in the S12 100m backstroke (2248). Sarah Storey is once again the one to watch as she hopes to add to her impressive collection of golds in the C5 time trail (session time: 12:00 – 15:30 ). Athletics holds promise for first-time Paralympic competitor Kadeena Cox who will be competing in her third event of the Games, which includes athletics and track cycling, in the T38 400m (1515) and Hannah Cockroft, who remains a safe bet to claim her first Paralympic T34 400m title (2159), where she is the current World Record holder.

Outside bet

Wheelchair Fencer Dimitri Coutya (Foil B, 1650 –2117) wants to make his first Paralympics a success, following his first World Cup Gold medal in the Senior Men’s category in 2015.

GB vs The World

He won’t be competing for medals against anyone from ParalympicsGB but former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi, who lost his legs in a racing accident, is someone to watch as he competes in the road cycling time trial. (H4 Time Trial, 1200 – 1530)

Did you know?

Stephen Clegg (S12 100m backstroke) will be the third member of the Clegg family to appear in the Paralympics after Libby and James both won medals at London 2012 in athletics and swimming respectively.

 

Day 8 – Thursday 15th September

Spotlight on

After claiming a doubles Bronze with Lucy Shuker in 2012, Jordanne Whiley (1600 – 0200) will be hoping to contest her first Paralympic Gold in the wheelchair tennis singles. The GB women will combine to make a fierce challenge for Gold in the Women’s 4x100m (T35-38) Sprint Relay (2336).

Also look out for

The spotlight is on Wheelchair Tennis on Day 8 with Wimbledon 2016 Wheelchair Doubles Champions Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett on the hunt for more silverware (1600-0200). The KL1 Kayak 200m race also holds potential for more British medals as Jeanette Chippington will work towards her thirteenth Paralympic medal, while four-time World Champion Emma Wiggs (KL2 200m) and World & European Champion Anne Dickens (KL3 200m) will push for the podium (1300). Paralympic Gold medallist Sophie Christiansen will come head to head with seven-time Paralympic medallist 67-year-old Anne Dunham in Individual Grade 1a Equestrian (1800-2042). Charlotte Henshaw will be itching for Gold after she was only 0.03 seconds away from the medal in 2012 as she goes up against Paralympic legend Ellie Simmonds in SB6 100m breaststroke (2150).

Outside bet

ParalympicsGB’s Wheelchair Rugby squad is ranked fifth in the world and also came fifth in the London 2012 Paralympics. However the team will be giving everything to win a medal at Rio and have momentum on their side after winning the Rio test event. They come up against Canada, former world number 1s, in a group game match looking to progress. (1645 – 1815).

GB vs The World

In the T54 800m Richard Chiassaro and Paralympic legend David Weir go up against the greats of their sport in a highly competitive and unpredictable field.

Stat of the day

Anne Dunham is the oldest member of ParalympicsGB in Rio and has seven Paralympic medals to her name.

Did you know?

Jordanne Whiley made history twice in the space of a year when she became the first British tennis player in 2014 to win a calendar year Grand Slam in Wheelchair Tennis doubles with Japan’s Yui Kamiji and in 2015 she became the first Brit to win a women’s singles Grand Slam wheelchair tennis title.

 

Day 9 – Friday 16th September

Spotlight on

A Gold is up for grabs for 10-time Paralympic gold medallist Lee Pearson in the Freestyle Grade 1b Equestrian(1700), his second push to add to ParalympicsGB’s medal count for the tournament.

Also look out for

All eyes should be fixed on the tennis court as British No.1 Wheelchair Tennis player Gordon Reid aims for his first Paralympic medal in the Men’s Wheelchair Singles (1600-0200). Jordanne Whiley returns with her doubles partner Lucy Shuker who will be hoping to better their Bronze from 2012 (1600-0200). Also look out for James Crisp in the S9 100m backstroke (2143) and the GB Women in the 4x100m Medley Relay 34 pts (0056). Boccia London 2012 BC1 silver medallist David Smith (1630-1800) and BC4 World No.2 Stephen McGuire will both be hoping to make the finals to play for their first Paralympic Golds in Rio (2315-0035).

Outside bet

Archer John Walker, Men’s individual compound W1 (2245), had a motorbike crash in 2012 which left him with partial use of his legs and right arm, however inspired by Matt Stutzman (USA) he took on the challenge of archery and could be an outside bet for a medal.

GB vs The World

Steph Millward (GB), Steph Slater (GB) and Jessica Long (USA) will once again be competing against one another, this time in the S8 50m freestyle (2203). Expect an incredibly close race, with fractions of a second separating the personal best times of these athletes.

Did you know?

Steph Slater was training to qualify for the London 2012 Games when she was diagnosed with nerve damage in her arm which destroyed her chances of competing. However, this did not deter her from being a part of the games as she volunteered at the Aquatics centre and was extremely inspired by Ellie Simmonds and Jessica Long toreturn to competition and aim to compete in Rio.

 

Day 10 – Saturday 17th September

Spotlight on

Day 10 holds promise for plenty of action in the pool with Ollie Hynd being a definite watch amongst the swimmers. Hynd is sure to enter the water with confidence to defend his 2012 Gold medal in the Individual Medley 200m SM8 (2143), a title he retained in competitions spanning from 2012 to 2015.

Also look out for

David Weir along with teammates Nathan Maguire, Mickey Bushell and Richard Chiassaro will no doubt bring much excitement to the track in the T53-54 4x400m Men’s Relay in their pursuit for Gold (2148). Jo Frith and John Walker (W1 Open Mixed Team Archery), will be shooting for Gold in their first Paralympics (21550). Frith will also be shooting solo along with Jessica Stretton and Vicky Jenkins, who will be making their Paralympic debuts.

Outside bet

Eleanor Robinson will be racing against her idol Ellie Simmonds as she makes her Paralympic debut in Rio after making her British team debut earlier this year at the European Championships in the S6 100m freestyle (2136). Robinson achieved three bronzes and silver at the championships, could her form see her eclipse her idol.

GB vs The World

The heavily anticipated Womens T35 200m will see young teen rivals Maria Lyle (GB), 16, and Isis Holt (AUS), 15, battle it out on the sprint track (1525). Holt holds the World Record for both 100m and 200m T35 races, a title she stole from Lyle who will be extremely eager to win it back in Rio.

Did you know?

Maria Lyle discovered her talent for running in a school bleep test, when she was shocked to be the last one running.

 

Day 11 – Sunday 18th September

Spotlight on

Six time Paralympic Champion David Weir will be aiming to reclaim the Paralympic Gold for the T54 Marathon (1630 – 1830) as he comes up against fellow Brit Simon Lawson.

Also look out for

The Rugby Bronze Medal Match which has the potential to include the team from Great Britain, will take place at 1300.

Did you know?

David Weir runs an academy along with coach Jenny Archer called the Weir Archer Academy with the aim of encouraging and inspiring those with disabilities to take part in sport.