Lovell conquers all to podium in Paris

Best friends and Paralympic Games debutants, sprinter Mali Lovell and javelin thrower Dayna Crees, both claimed bronze medals on the same day at Paris 2024. 

Winning 100m medals in her T36 cerebral palsy class at major competitions is becoming a nice habit for Lovell, an NSW Institute of Sport scholarship athlete. 

After silver at the 2023 World Championships in Paris and bronze at the 2024 worlds in Kobe, the 20-year-old stepped out onto Stade de Paris and added another one. 

“I had plenty of nerves – felt like butterflies or bats, not sure which. But I just wanted to save some energy to focus on running as fast as I could. And I felt I did that,” Lovell said. 

She lowered her heat time by 0.26s to follow Tasman cousin, Danielle Aitchison (NZ) onto the podium, which would have delighted Lovell’s coaches Kate Edwards and three-time Olympian Melinda Gainsford-Taylor. 

“Kate’s with me here but Mel is watching on the TV, on the couch at home. I think there’s been lots of yelling but she’s probably crying right now,” Lovell said. 

“It’s mainly relief. I’ve worked hard and I’m proud of myself to get the race done and done well.” 

Sprinter Chad Perris almost joined them in the bronze brigade, but five-thousandths (0.005) left him in 4th place in the T13 100m final – Japan’s Shuta Kawakami taking home the medal. 

“You couldn’t get much closer. I probably needed to have done a few more bench presses so my chest is a little bigger and gets over the line first,” Perris said. 

While he had to reflect on finishing fourth at the last two world championships and now the Paris Games, it was refreshing new territory for Lovell and Crees at their first Paralympics. 

Crees was finishing up her javelin F34 final in the centre of Stadium de France as the Australian flag was being raised in Lovell’s medal ceremony. 

“How cool,” Crees said, who added she fuelled her massive first throw – a personal-best 17.65 by more than a metre – on Vegemite toast for breakfast, pasta salad for lunch and a bag of lollies during competition. 

“My preparation got interrupted in January with a rotator cuff injury so just to make it here, let alone medal, I’ve just got no words. I’m just so, so happy.” 

Following on from those juniors on the Australian athletics team came two senior campaigners in Sarah Edmiston and Angela Ballard. 

Edmiston, who took bronze in Tokyo, had her work cut out for her in the F64 discus in Paris with the three eventual medallists throwing over 40 metres in their opening two rounds. Australia’s best was also a season-best 34.33m for a 7th placing. 

“The competition has really sky-rocketed in the last 18 months,” Edmiston said. “I always knew it was going to be a tough competition here. So I set a goal to make the top-eight and I did that. I’m happy.” 

Her coach and husband Paul Edmiston is home in Perth with their four children so won’t be around for their mum’s 49th birthday next Sunday – the day of the Paris Games Closing Ceremony, held in the same venue she competed in on Sunday, Stade de France. 

“It was an amazing atmosphere out there and I can’t tell you how good it is to see so many people supporting Para-athletics,” said Edmiston, who suffered nerve damage after a water-skiing accident when she was 19. 

“I just love how it’s a level playing field for us. When I came back to competition after my accident it was so difficult to compete against able-bodied athletes. But this is an opportunity for people with many and varied abilities to compete together.” 

Ballard, 42, is at her seventh Paralympic Games and revealed the secret to her longevity after her sixth 800m T53 Final, where she placed 6th (1min:56.83s). 

“I genuinely love racing … but I’m also so passionate about this movement and so passionate about the people involved. That’s what keeps driving me,” she said. 

Perris pledged to keep moving forward despite having his heart broken with his near-misses. 

“I ran really well but it’s (decided) by such fine margins… it’s tough,” he said. “This hurts immediately coming off the track, but over the next few days I’ll have a chance to reflect. It’s not the last battle I’ll be having with these guys – they are really impressive athletes. 

“This makes me hungry for more. I want to win medals and 2019 (silver 100m) was my last podium. I’ve finished fourth the last three majors. I want a taste of that medal again.” 

Two wheelchair racers had mixed results. 

Multi-silver medallist since he made his debut in London 2012, Rheed McCracken, is into his fourth 100m T34 Paralympic final on Monday with a season-best heat time of 15.62s. 

“I was very nervous; I don’t think I’ve ever been that nervous before a heat. It’s that ‘unknown’ feeling no matter how many Games you’ve been to,” McCracken, a NSW Institute of Sport scholarship holder said. 

“I got out well and once I felt safe, I relaxed a little more. Next time I’ll feel less stressed even though it’s the final. It’s a nice, fast track.” 

Teammate Luke Bailey, a fellow NSWIS scholarship holder, clocked a personal best (48.11) in the 400m T54 heats but it wasn’t enough. 

“Getting a PB is good but I wish I’d got down to the 47s range and I probably would have made the final. I’ve had a few problems with my (racing) chair this week but I got it sorted and I raced and that’s all that matters. 

“The 100 is my main event and today’s hit-out was good. I wasn’t nervous at all and I felt really happy out there. The crowd noise is why we do this – awesome.” 

Australian results Day 3 Para-athletics 

MEN 

100m T34: Heat 1, Rheed McCracken 2nd (15.62s) Qualified for final. 

400m T54: Heat 1, Luke Bailey 7th (48.11s), 12th overall. Did not qualify for final. 

100m T13 Final: Chad Perris, 4th (10.80s) 

WOMEN 

Discus F64 Final: Sarah Edmiston, 7th (34.33m) 

200m T36 Final: Mali Lovell, Bronze 29.82s 

800m T53 Final: Angie Ballard, 6th (1min:56.83) 

Javelin F34 Final: Dayna Crees, Bronze (17.65m)  

Watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on the 9Network and 9Now live and free, and on Stan Sport till September 8. 

Margie McDonald, Paralympics Australia