While the Paris crowds have been hailed for their volume and enthusiasm at these Paralympics, they turned out to be rather problematic for Philippa Johnson-Dwyer at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Wednesday, 4 September, 2024.
South Africa’s only equestrian athlete – who is competing at an incredible sixth Paralympics – was appreciative of all the support, of course. Her horse, Just in Time, not so much.
Johnson-Dwyer finished 14th out of 15 competitors in the individual event grade IV held at the spectacular Chateau de Versailles.
“My feelings are a bit split about today. I was super proud and humbled to be competing at this unbelievable venue and my sixth Paralympics, what a blessing.”
Four-time Paralympic medallist, Equestrian Philippa Johnson-Dwyer
“Unfortunately poor Just In Time got completely overwhelmed by the noise of the crowd when we were warming up and, try what I might, I couldn’t get her to relax.
“When we got into the arena the atmosphere was even more electric, and I thought we might very well land up at the chateau!” she added with a laugh.
“As an athlete, you always want to give your best performance and make your country proud, but some days things stack against you and you just have to do the best you can.”
A car accident in 1998 meant Johnson-Dwyer lost all her strength in her right arm and 60 per cent of the strength in her right leg. Her love of horses drew her back to the sport but she then suffered a broken back after a fall.
Incredibly, the now Belgium-based rider persevered and became the first South African to earn a Paralympic equestrian medal, earning two silvers in Athens before going on to claim double gold in Beijing four years later.
While her Paris campaign didn’t quite go according to plan, the 49-year-old has no plans to retire any time soon. “For me, the most important thing is to have the courage to keep going and do better the next time,” she said.
Two other South African women were in action in the French capital on Wednesday.
Just a day after finishing fourth in the T37 400m final, Sheryl James returned to the Stade de France track for the heats of the T37 100m. Competing against a stacked field, the Limpopo sprinter finished third in her heat in a time of 13.69 seconds to secure automatic qualification into Thursday’s final.
“I’m glad I’m through and now I can go home and sleep,” said a matter-of-fact James afterwards. “I was just enjoying it, just enjoying the moment,” she added.
Asked whether she’ll change anything up for the final, the Tokyo bronze medallist replied with a simple: “I’ll just go out harder.”
Meanwhile, over at La Defense Arena, Alani Ferreira competed in the heats of the S12 100m freestyle. Her time of 1:09.69 for sixth place was not quick enough to see her through to the evening final, but her focus is very much on Thursday’s SB12 100m breaststroke – the event in which she claimed bronze at last year’s World Championships.
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Sheryl James finished third in her heat to secure automatic qualification into Thursday’s T37 400m final at the Stade de France, the Limpopo sprinter making the most of her incredible experience at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Wednesday, 4 September, 2024. Photo: Roger Sedres/TeamSA
Photo 2 Caption: Her frightened horse and Johnson-Dwyer finished 14th out of 15 in the individual event grade IV at the Chateau de Versailles just outside Paris. Photo: Team SA
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