Several British Para-swimmers qualified for finals on the opening morning of the 2024 Paralympics as the sporting action got under way in Paris.
Teenage sensations William Ellard and Olivia Newman-Baronius, who are two of 16 debutants on the swimming team, comfortably came through their respective S14 100m butterfly heats at La Defense Arena.
Ellard, 18, and Newman-Baronius, 17, who both won gold at the Open European Championships in Madeira in May, will be strong favourites to win their finals.
Ellard swims at 17:35, while world record holder Newman-Baronius’ final follows at 17:42 BST and she will be alongside team-mates Poppy Maskill, who set a blistering pace in the second heat, and Louise Fiddes.
Toni Shaw also stood out in the women’s S9 400m freestyle and will be hoping for a medal in her final (16:40).
And Tully Kearney led from the front in the women’s S5 200m freestyle. The 27-year-old will be hoping to upgrade the silver she won at Tokyo 2020 in the final (19:40).
Just an hour into the session, a world record was broken in the women’s S9 50m freestyle by Christie Raleigh-Crossley of the United States. She powered to the wall in 27.28 seconds.
Boccia legend Smith in quest for third gold
Elsewhere, British boccia legend David Smith began his quest for a third consecutive gold in superb style, beating Brazil’s Jose Oliveria 5-2 in the men’s BC1 match at the South Paris Arena.
Also at the South Paris Arena, 14-year-old Para table-tennis star Bly Twomey got her Paralympic career off to an outstanding start, alongside Felicity Pickard, with a 3-0 win against Norway in the women’s doubles WD14 quarter-final. They take on China at 17:30 for a place in the final.
Twomey has a busy day as she also teams up with Joshua Stacey in the mixed doubles XD17 at 13:13.
Cox goes for GB’s first medal in Paris
One of the most recognisable names in the ParalympicsGB team is Kadeena Cox, who could win the nation’s first gold medal.
The Paralympic champion will be one of the favourites going into the women’s C4-5 500m time trial heats at the velodrome. The final gets under way at 14:15.
The 33-year-old shot to fame after becoming the first British athlete to win gold medals in two different sports, cycling and athletics, in the same Games in Rio 2016.
Fellow GB Para-cycling stars Neil Fachie, James Ball and Steve Bate are also in action on day one.
Seven-month pregnant Jodie Grinham will make history in the individual compound archery as the first British woman to be competing so far into pregnancy.
The 31-year-old lines up alongside team-mate and Paralympic champion Phoebe Patterson.
Will Bayley, who won table tennis gold at Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo, starts his campaign, while the women’s basketball team face Spain in the group stages. The men’s team has already beaten Germany 76-55.
Claire Taggart will also be looking to impress in her Boccia group.
