As the Paralympics first day officially kicked off at the Paris 2024 Paralympics after a breathtaking opening ceremony. Canadian cyclist Kate O’Brien wasted no time in securing the nation’s first medal, a bronze in the women’s C4-5 500-meter. Boosting the hopes of the remaining who are yet to perform.
The 36-year-old from Calgary, a veteran of the Paralympic stage made an impactful start to her third Olympics. O’Brien, who doubted even qualifying for this Olympics, came third at the velodrome right behind Caroline Groot of the Netherlands who bagged the gold medal and silver medallist Marie Patouillet of France. Taking a consecutive medal on her Olympic journey. 
She expressed her joy and told Canadian Paralympic Committee:
‘’It’s very surreal.” ‘’I honestly didn’t think this was in the cards, and I’ve never won the first medal of anything. It just means a lot to have so much support behind it, family and friends. I can’t even describe it.’’
O’Brien Defeats the Odds to Shine at the Paris 2024 Paralympics
As a result of what she’s accomplished, O’Brien tells a story about rising from rock bottom with grace. Her achievements came after encountering devastating dystonia stemming from a brain injury in a crash in 2017 right after her debut Olympics which derailed her career. However, through sheer grit and unwavering determination, she not only returned to competition but also secured a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. And this latest bronze medal serves as a testament to O’Brien’s impregnable spirit.
She told Canadian Paralympic Committee:
‘’The year leading into these Games was a bit challenging for training’’ ‘’I honestly didn’t even know if I would make the team. So coming here and making the top six from the heats to make the finals and ending with a medal, is a dream.’’
She gained strength from race presence of family, which was an upgrade from an empty field at the Tokyo Olympics, as she told:
‘’Having family here has been so amazing.” ‘’Tokyo was a great Games but obviously different and so being able to wave at family in the crowd and go up and see them and have my eight-month-old son touch my helmet before I raced, it was just amazing to share that.’’
In the midst of the Paralympic Games, Canada looks to such athletes to add to their nation’s accolades.
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