In the scorching heat of the Paris Velodrome, Team Great Britain’s cyclists delivered an impressive performance, adding to their medal tally on the opening days of the 2024 Paralympic Games. However, their success was overshadowed by a devastating crash involving one of their brightest stars, Kadeena Cox.
Cox, a favorite to win gold, was competing in the C4-5 500-meter time trial. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after a stroke in 2014, Cox had fought through adversity to compete at the highest level. In the morning qualifiers, she secured the second-best time, setting herself up for a strong showing in the finals. However, disaster struck during her race. Struggling to gain speed and maintain balance, Cox crashed on the first bend, shattering her hopes of a medal.
The atmosphere inside the velodrome, which had been buzzing with excitement, fell silent as the British Paralympic officials rushed to her aid. Cox, clearly distraught, had to be helped off the track and was seen sobbing at the center of the velodrome. Despite initial investigations into a possible mechanical failure, it was determined that the race would not be restarted.
Reflecting on the crash, Cox admitted that her performance was not up to her usual standards. “I didn’t perform well, but that’s sport,” she said. “I’ve been battling injuries for the past six months, and today, it just didn’t come together.” She revealed that her recent struggles with mental health had also been a challenge and that she would seek support from her psychologist before returning to the track. Cox is set to compete again in the mixed team sprint on Sunday, where she will defend her title alongside teammates Jody Cundy and Jaco van Gass.
Despite Cox’s heartbreak, Britain had plenty to celebrate. Daphne Schrager and Steve Bate, paired with pilot Christopher Latham, secured a silver medal in the tandem cycling event. Schrager shone in the women’s C1-3 3000-meter individual pursuit, where she battled against China’s Wang Xiaomei. Both cyclists broke world records in the qualifiers, but Wang proved dominant in the final, clocking in three seconds faster than her previous time to take gold.
While Cox’s crash was a poignant reminder of the highs and lows of Paralympic competition, Team GB’s success at the velodrome added to the growing optimism for the days ahead. Schrager’s silver medal, along with Bate’s impressive performance, underlined Britain’s strength in Paralympic cycling, ensuring that the team remains a force to be reckoned with as the Games progress.
