Wat-Not Staff
With their first gold medal win in track cycling, the Netherlands had a brilliant start to the 2024 Paralympic Games. With their first international achievement, the Dutch people celebrated the athlete’s victory, which made history for the country.
Netherland’s First Gold Medal
Caroline Groot of the Netherlands won the first gold medal of the Games in the track cycling event for women’s C4-5 500-meter time trial. The bronze went to Canadian Kate O’Brien, while the silver went to Marie Patouillet of France.
Later in the day, China secured four gold medals in track and para-swimming, taking the lead early. 4,400 participants from over the world will compete in 549 medal events in 22 sports at the most recent Paralympics in Paris.
Caroline Groot’s Glorious Win
In the women’s track cycling 500-meter time trial, Groot became victorious in both the C4 and C5 classes. On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, a magnificent ceremony marked the start of the first medal event of the Games. Following the fall of C4 world record holder Kadeena Cox during her attempt, Groot finished last. Because her crash was not caused by a mechanical issue, the British rider was not given the chance to try again.
Groot set a world record in C5 by winning in 35.390 seconds. The silver went to French rider Marie Patouillet (C5), while Kate O’Brien (C4) of Canada won the bronze. The paracycling divisions C1 through C5 are for athletes who can ride a regular bicycle but have physical limitations affecting their arms, legs, or trunk that interfere with their functionality. C4 cyclists are those who have lower limb impairments or problems with lower limb functionality resulting from amputations, cerebral palsy, or other lower limb impairments; riders with less severe impairments fall into C5.
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