GOLD No.9: The Race That Went Perfectly To Plan 

It seemed James Turner’s quest for track and field gold at Paris 2024 was doomed when he contracted glandular fever barely three months before the Opening Ceremony.  

But glandular fever hadn’t accounted for the power runner’s determination, let alone that of his amazing coach Iryna Dvoskina.  

After winning gold in the now discontinued 800 metres T36 at Rio 2016, Turner arrived in Paris as the Tokyo 2020 400 metres T36 champion seeking a place at the top of the podium for a third consecutive Paralympic Games.  

He didn’t just win the 400 at the famous Stade de France, he set a new world record of 51.54, beating his previous world mark of 51.71.  

“It’s been eight years of build-up to this and to have it come together is humbling,” Turner said. 

“I know what I’m going to do and it’s just time to do it.” 

Of clocking his fastest time, he said: “When I was rounding the last bend and when I saw the two athletes on my right behind me, I thought ‘Oh, I could be on for a shot here, I feel pretty good’. 

“You put so much of your energy hoping for certain results. Not every race goes to how you want it to, but this one did.” 

Turner was far from done. He still had his sights on the 100 metres. 

Enjoyed this read? Recap Gold Medal No.10 here

By: David Sygall

Published: 27 December 2024