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Vanessa Low entered rarified athletic air in Paris on Thursday night, when she collected her third consecutive Paralympic Games gold medal and broke her own long jump world record in her T63 leg amputee class.
Her first in Rio 2016 was under the German flag, but due to the charm and talent of her Australian husband Scott Reardon – and now her coach – the next two from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 were won in the green and gold singlet.
Her latest effort differs again from the other two since she became a mother two years ago with son Matteo, who was in the front row of the Stade de France eastern stand to cheer her on. He also ‘scored’ the mascot at the end of the medal ceremony.
“They (Scott and Matteo) have been such a massive part of the journey,” Low said. “I didn’t come back (to athletics) despite having a baby – Matteo changed me, making me stronger both physically and mentally.
“He really put things in perspective … he sees mummy coming down the runway and he copies that when he goes to his gymnastics class the next day… it’s very special.”
Low’s performance was also pretty spectacular. She set the new world record (5.45m) in the first of six leaps. Just to prove the distance was no fluke, she jumped it again in the fifth round. Only one other of the eight finalists broke five metres – the Italian silver medallist Martina Caironi (5.06m).
“After the first jump, the pressure fell off and I felt like this is where I’m meant to me – we’ve done so much hard work not leaving a single stone unturned in the last two years,” Low said.
“I was focused, I was ready, I was just happy to be there to be honest,” adding that she’s not done yet. She wants to break 6.0 metres in the long jump pit.
“What keeps driving me is trying to be the best I can be. I love pushing myself on the big stage and I think I can jump six metres – I think that’s possible. I want to break barriers.”
Low’s gold was the second in athletics for Australia after James Turner’s 400m (T36) gold on Tuesday.
Other athletes competing on day seven in track and field competition included Australia’s team co-captain, Angie Ballard, who finished sixth in the 400m (T53) – the fifth time in seven Paralympic finals she has registered a top-six finish for the event including her silver in London 2012 and bronze in Rio 2016.
“I do love the 400 but it’s a hard distance,” Ballard said after finishing her week. “Paris is a significant part of the (Paralympic) movement but there’s still a lot to be done to really make sure that all the different disabilities are supported.
“It’s simple things like not getting adequate warm-up or call-room facilities here (in 2024) for wheelchair athletes. It’s not a fit-for-purpose (location). That being said, the crowds have been tremendous and the support from home tremendous so all that is really invigorating.”
From an athlete who’s been to seven Games to one experiencing his first – Jackson Hamilton – who did not have things go to plan his way in the javelin (F13) for vision-impaired athletes.
He threw 59.20m first up, which is further than he has at the past two world championships, but felt something twinge in his right elbow in the second throw. The 21-year-old bravely tried to manage the injury but retired after the fourth round in sixth place.
“It’s simply a part of it – these things happen and they’re inevitable,” Hamilton said. “So you can’t sit there and wallow. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to compete here – it just wasn’t my time today for whatever reason.
“I’ll learn from this and come back stronger because I intend to go to the next world championships and Paralympics. The fact this happened only makes me hungrier. I’m determined to bounce back.”
There was a plethora of field events on Thursday night for the Australian team with Tokyo bronze medallist Maria Strong (F33) finishing eighth (6.35m) in her shot-put final.
Back on the track Sam McIntosh finished fifth in his heat of the 100m (T52) wheelchair class but missed the final by one spot in 9th, or by 0.12s.
Two good friends and T54 wheelchair class athletes, Luke Bailey and Sam Rizzo, ended their three-event Paris programs with the heats of the 800m today.
Bailey finished seventh in his heat and 13th overall with a time of 1min:51.34s, while Rizzo was sixth in his (1:45.33) and 12th overall. Neither qualified for the final.
“I think for LA I’ll do less events to be honest – the 100 and maybe the 800 or the 400, depending on which I feel I’m fit enough to do well… but definitely the 100,” Bailey said after racing the 400m last Sunday and then the 100m final on Wednesday night.
“And if I’m injured, then pull out of a race and don’t push myself,” he added, having been troubled by hip soreness in past few days. “It’s been playing up and I had some paracetamol before I came out but it felt tight all race. I struggled to get into a good rhythm.”
Rizzo had the 5000m last Friday, the 1500m on Monday and then the 800m but missed all three finals in his maiden Paralympic campaign.
“There’s always something to take from each and every race to bring through to the next one. I learnt lots of lessons here – it’s been very tactical and that’s my favourite part of racing.
“I know I have lots to improve but you remember the things you do well, whether that’s on the track, in preparation, or recovery,” said the 24-year-old, adding Paris would not be a one-off Games appearance for himself.
“Absolutely … I’ll be in LA, don’t worry about that.”
Australian results Day 7 Para-athletics
MEN
800m T54 Heats: Ht1 Luke Bailey, 7th (1m:51.34s), 13th overall. Did not qualify for final
800m T54 Heats: Ht2 Sam Rizzo, 6th (1:45.33), 12th overall. Did not qualify for final
Javelin F13 Final: Jackson Hamilton, 6th (59.20m)
100m T52 Heats: Ht 2, Sam McIntosh, 5th (17.88s) 9th overall. Did not qualify for final
WOMEN
Long Jump T63 Final: Vanessa Low, Gold (5.45m) WR
400m T53 Final: Angie Ballard, 6th (59.12s)
Shot Put F33: Maria Strong, 8th (6.35m)
Watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on the 9Network and 9Now live and free, and on Stan Sport from August 28 to September 8.
By: Margie McDonald, Paralympics Australia
Published: 6 September 2024
