Kadeena Cox Celebrates Historic Paralympic Games Double

Kadeena Cox has become the first Briton since 1988 to win a Paralympic medal in two sports at the same Games after breaking her own world record to claim the women’s C4-5 500m time trial title here this evening.

“Well we’ve never had such prolific world records from both C4s and C5s”.

Cox, who said she celebrated winning bronze on the track by spending the next day “plaiting people’s hair and watching [the film] Coach Carter”, now wants to inspire the next generation of Para-athletes from different backgrounds.

“Given the obvious sprint power many black athletes are able to generate in track and field events, I know there are many in cycling who feel it would be a natural shift”.

“It’s what I expected to be honest”.

The double world champion posted a time of 41.252 to break her own world record, but missed out on a second medal following the factoring of other riders’ times with Dutch rider Alyda Norbruis claiming the gold. I’m just in shock, I’m Paralympic, world and European champion and perhaps I’ll have my first beer in two years now. “The sprinters brought their A-game and when the sprinters bring their A-game, as a pursuitor you can expect to be off the podium”.

World champion Lewis, a lower leg amputee, won the PT2 category race at Copacabana beach.

“I can’t believe it, I’m so happy”, said Cox said on Channel 4. “You can come back from setbacks and do incredible things”.

If her condition means this does turn out to be Cox’s only Paralympic appearance, it was some way of striking while the iron is hot.

“There is nothing to be afraid of – just come out and show what you’ve got”, she said. You can’t ask for better than to be beaten by two world records. “I’ve been doing it for a year and a half and now, being on top of the world, it’s awesome”.

Britain successfully appealed against the claim that guide Chris Clark had dragged her in the race, contrary to regulations. To be here now is wonderful and I’m just so happy.

“I would hope the negative press finished once the Games started – you can see from the excitement of the crowd, very partisan when the Brazilians were qualifying this morning”.