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It was a historic day for the Australian Paralympic rowing team, winning a gold and bronze medal, the first time ever taking home two medals in one Games.
The biggest moment of the day belonged to Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager who carved out their own slice of history to become the first Aussie Para-rowers to win gold and the first athletes ever to win the new PR3 mixed doubles.
Coming into the Paralympics the heavy favourites, as World Champions and named 2023 World Para-rowing team, the duo didn’t fail to deliver in front of the packed crowd.
Partnering just over a year ago, Ayers said what they have been able to deliver in such a short amount of time was incredible.
“From when Jed and I first got into this, we sat down with our coaches and said what our goals were and what we were aiming for,” Ayers said.
“The two things we wanted to be were undeniable and unbeatable and we showed that today… it shows that all that hard work paid off.
“Super proud we can call ourselves Paralympic champions now. We’ve broken a few milestones with the PR3 mixed doubles making its debut at the Paralympics and for Australia.”
Altschwager, making his Paralympic debut in Paris, said he was grateful to have Nikki’s support and advice stepping onto the global stage.
“I’ve never really experienced nerves and I absolutely did today,” he said. “This season has been incredible; GB and Germany have really turned it up.
“It’s a new event and we knew it was going to get faster and faster. We learned that in World Cup 3 with the results. Today they bought it for sure, so we had to push ourselves like never before.
“It feels incredible to be part of a new Paralympic class… to get it done today is just the icing on the cake.
“To be able to do this with Nikki, to be able to do it for the Australian Paralympic Team, is so special. Crossing the line, I felt every emotion at once.”
Before Ayers and Altschwager took to the line, Australia’s most successful Para-rower of all time Erik Horrie claimed bronze in the men’s PR1 single scull.
Horrie had crossed the line in fourth place, but a ruling from World Rowing saw third place Italy disqualified, giving the Aussie a place on the podium.
Adding to his three previous silver medals, Horrie made it four medals from four Games.
“I’m very honoured to put on the green and gold,” Horrie said. “To get out there and represent your country, to hear your name called out when they say ‘Australia’ I just feel so privileged.
“This Games was unbelievable, the crowd and all the support and all the organisation from Paris throughout… it’s up there as one of the best.
“I’m not hanging up the blades any time soon, I love rowing, but when it comes to all that [whether he goes to LA 2028] I’ll sit down the wife and the kids to make the decision.”
In the PR3 mixed coxed four Australia’s crew finished fifth in the A Final behind Great Britain, USA, France and Germany.
Watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on the 9Network and 9Now live and free, and on Stan Sport till September 8
By: Lauren Ryan, Paralympics Australia
Published: 2 September 2024
