Oluwatobiloba Adeoye-Aremu, reporting from UK
Tully Kearney delivered a spectacular performance to secure gold in the women’s S5 200m freestyle final, adding another medal to Great Britain’s tally at the Paralympics 2024 in Paris.
As the fastest qualifier, Kearney entered the final with high expectations and did not disappoint. Though Ukraine’s Iryna Poida led for much of the race, Kearney remained within striking distance, poised for a decisive move.
The turning point came as they reached the final 50 meters. With a powerful push, Kearney surged ahead of Poida, seizing the lead. Despite Poida’s determined efforts to close the gap in the last few meters, Kearney’s lead was unassailable, and she touched the wall first, securing the gold.
This victory marks a stellar start for ParalympicsGB, with Kearney’s win contributing to the team’s impressive haul of two golds, three silvers, and a bronze on the first day of competition.
Poida claimed the silver medal, while Italy’s Monica Boggioni took home the bronze, completing the podium in a fiercely contested race. Kearney’s triumph not only underscores her status as the current world record holder but also sets a high standard for the rest of the games.
