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With relay gold already to his name, Callum Simpson’s Paralympic debut went to another level when he prevailed in a blanket finish to secure individual gold in the men’s 100 metres freestyle S8.
The 17-year-old – the youngest male on the Australian Paralympic Team at Paris 2024 – clocked 58.23s, just 0.02 ahead of American Noah Jaffe and third-placed Italian Alberto Amodeo another 0.05 back.
“I didn’t even know I won at the time because I saw the other person right beside me coming up and I knew I needed to get the lunge,” Simpson said.
“When I saw my name on the board at first place, it’s a feeling I would never forget in my whole life.”
Simpson was a heat swimmer in the victorious mixed 4×100 metres medley relay 34 points earlier in the week and would win silver in the mixed 4×100 metres freestyle relay 34 points. He said his gold in the individual 100 was “everything I dreamed of”.
“I finally have my dream … it’s finally come true. It’s amazing, it honestly is, and I wouldn’t be able to get here without my family,” the Year 11 student said.
Enjoyed this read? Recap Gold Medal No.17 here
By: David Sygall
Published: 27 December 2024
