Carneiro Twins Live Their Paralymic Podium Sharing Dream At Paris 2024

The fifth night of the swimming finals in Paris had the most beautiful moment, a family podium. Brazilian twins Beatriz and Débora Carneiro lived their long-lived dream of sharing the Paralympic podium together in the 100m breaststroke SB14 finally at Paris 2024. 

Although the twins were leading in the first 50m, however, Louise Fiddes (GBR) overtook them both and claimed the gold medal (01:15:47 sec). Débora Carneiro took silver with a time of 01:16:02 sec, while Beatriz took bronze (01:16:46 sec).

Carneiro twins after finishing the S14100m Breaststroke at Paris 2024. Photo Credit: NPC Brasil

We really wanted to win this medal together! We do everything together and this was missing! All the sacrifices were worth it! I was afraid our father would have a heart attack in the stands! He came to Paris to watch us compete, him and our stepmother,” said Débora.

We dedicate the medal to our father, who is our main supporter and motivator, and today is his 61st birthday,” explained Beatriz.

Throughout their careers, which began in 2017, the sisters have taken turns on the podium at the Paralympics and World Swimming Championships. Beatriz won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games and the 2022 Madeira World Championships. Débora was the world champion in Manchester 2023.

At the 2023 Santiago Parapan American Games, the sisters shared the podium in this event for the first time where Beatriz in first and Débora in second.

In the men’s event, Canada’s Nicholas Bennett broke the country’s 12-year drought of gold medals among men, dating back to the 2012 London Games. He finished the 100m breaststroke in 01:03:98 sec.

Nicholas Bennett receives his silver medal in the men’s 200m freestyle S14 during the Paralympic Games in Paris. Photo Credit: Canadian Paralympic Committee/Dave Holland

Nick Bennett, now part of Canadian swimming history, expressed his deep pride in winning Canada’s 400th medal since the country’s Paralympic debut.

“It’s an absolute honour just to be a part of this milestone,” he said. Reflecting on his journey, Nick credited his coach, who has been a significant figure in his life since 2021, for his steady progression since Tokyo. “It’s just been amazing growth,” he shared.

Standing on the podium, Nick felt a mix of emotions.

The joy of competing against the best athletes in the world and being the best out of them, and the relief of showing the world that I’m one of the best,” he said.

At just 20, Nick finds it “indescribable” to be part of Canadian swimming history, with more to come as he prepares for his strongest event, the 200 IM, in which he holds the world record. “Hopefully, but as I say, it’s anyone’s race until the end.”

The podium was completed by Australian Jake Michel, who took silver (01:04:27 – an Oceania record), and Japanese Naohide Yamaguchi, who took bronze (01:04:94).

“I wanted to win the gold medal, but I just had a bronze. I experienced some physical fatigue during the second half of the course so I regret that I could not perform my 100%.”

Competitions for the S14 class will resume in swimming on the 4th with the Men’s and Women’s 200m medley.

WR for Aysel in Women’s T20 400m

The Women’s T20 400m heats featured an exhilarating race, with two-time Paralympic champion Breanna Clark facing newcomers ONDER Aysel (TUR) and JEEVANJI Deepthi (IND). In a stunning performance, Aysel ONDER shattered the World Record with a time of 54.96 seconds, defeating Clark.

Aysel Onder after breaking Photo Credit: Çorum News

I am very happy and proud. I hope tomorrow I will break my own world record and return to my country with a gold medal,” Aysel said.

But honestly, I don’t know how this time was achieved. Maybe it’s the effort I’ve been putting in for the past four years. I feel very good, and I would like to thank the Turkish people for supporting us.”

Breanna Clark expressed her determination: “I’m glad I came back. After all that we’ve been through this year, I’m able to show the world what I’m really made of.

JEEVANJI Deepthi (IND), who became a sensation after breaking the WR at Kobe 2024, also qualified for the finals. Joining them in the final race tomorrow are SHULIAR Yuliia (UKR), ANGULO Lizanshel (ECU), da SILVA BARROS Antonia Keyla (BRA), and BLACKSMITH Telaya (AUS).

Evellyn Santos and Prokofeva Elena qualified for the quarterfinals in the Women’s Class 11 Table Tennis

 

SANTOS Evellyn in action at Paris 2024. Photo Credit: ITTF

n the Women’s Class 11 Round of 16, Brazil’s Evellyn Santos delivered an impressive performance, defeating NG Mui Wui from Hong Kong with a 3-0 sweep (11-4, 11-8, 11-9).

Meanwhile, in a closely contested match, PROKOFEVA Elena (NPA) took the first two games against MACUROVA Denisa (CZE) with scores of 11-7 and 11-4. Denisa fought back in the third game, winning 14-12 and giving her fans some hope. However, Elena secured the victory by winning the fourth game 11-5, advancing to the next round.

ACER Ebru (TUR), FERNEY Lea (FRA), WADA Natsuki (JPN), WONG Ting Ting (HKG), KOSMINA Natalia (UKR) and FURUKAWA Kanami (JPN) were given bye and qualified for the quarterfinals directly.

Applications invited for Sport Director positions (2 posts, voluntary)

Virtus is seeking applications for two Sport Director positions – cycling and table tennis. Sport Directors are responsible for leading, managing and growing the Virtus sport and competition programme in line with the organisational vision, and for managing the Virtus Sport Committees.

Applications should be made online here and the closing date is 23:59 (UK) on 8th June 2024.

World Sailing and Virtus collaborate to hold e-Sailing challenge

World Sailingthe International Federation for the sport, and Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport, have joined forces to organise an eSailing challenge on Virtual Regatta, the world-leading digital sailing platform, for sportspeople with intellectual impairments. 

Held on Saturday 6 March 2021, this challenge will allow budding eSailors to play in an inclusive environment, and help to promote Para sailing within the Virtus community. 

The eSailing challenge on Virtual Regatta Inshore will be open to all athletes holding a Virtus national eligibility, with racing taking place across the day to cater for different timezones. 

Those joining the challenge are encouraged to complete the in-game Sailing School for an introduction to the basic rules of sailing and tips and tricks on how to be a successful eSailor. 

The intention is to create more eSailing challenges in the near future and grow participation for Virtus athletes. 

Registration for the event will be managed by Virtus and supported by World Sailing. Virtus’ eligibility is inclusive of athletes with an intellectual impairment, Downs syndrome and autism. 

Massimo Dighe, Para World Sailing Manager at World Sailing, said, “I’m very happy to start the first eSailing challenge in collaboration with Virtus. 

“Since 2019, we have worked with Virtus to create opportunities for participation in sport and increase the awareness of sailing within the intellectual impairment group. 

“At a time where it is very hard to organise in-person events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s great that we can use Virtual Regatta as a platform to include Virtus athletes. 

“This is the first step in a long-term plan, which will culminate in a future Para World Championship for people with intellectual impairments.” 

Marc Truffaut, Virtus President, said, “This eSailing challenge will be a fantastic way to engage our sailing community during this pandemic, whilst building on our relationship with World Sailing to promote and increase participation in sailing among athletes with an intellectual impairment.” 

World Sailing signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Virtus in May 2019, with the overall aim of working jointly in the promotion and growth of sailing for people with an intellectual impairment across the world.   

This partnership is particularly important when taking into consideration that the first Para Sailing World Championship for athletes with an intellectual impairment is expected to take place in 2022 in Australia. 

Virtus athletes can visit virtus.sport/events for more information on how to get involved. 

2015 Inas Alpine & Nordic Skiing Championships

5199167745_ecaa441fb9_bInas will hold the 2015 Alpine and Nordic World Skiing Championships in Klovsjo, Sweden. The resort is home to the Åsarna Ski Club – one of the biggest ski clubs in Sweden. 

 

2015 Inas World Half Marathon Championships

Inas has confirmed that the 2015 World Half Marathon Championships will take place in the heart of the Douro Valley, Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The event will be incorporated within the 10th Douro Valley Half Marathon in Régua, a annual road race event sanctioned by IAAF.

Entry forms and further details will be available shortly.

For general information please visit www.meiamaratonadouro.pt/

 

Inas Americas Indoor Rowing Championships

rower - featureThe 2nd Inas Americas Indoor Rowing Championship is again held in conjunction with the MidAtlantic Erg Sprints which is the largest qualifying event for the World Indoor Rowing Championships (CRASH-B) with more than 100 events for junior, college, masters and adaptive rowers.

The event takes place in Washington in January 2015.

2015 Inas Open European Cross Country Championships

IMG_1291The 2015 Inas European Cross Country Championships are confirmed to take place in Wakefield, United Kingdom in February.

The first entry deadline is 23rd December 2014, and the final entry deadline is 31st January 2015. Please note that all athletes must appear on the Inas Master List no later than the final entry deadline.

2nd Inas International Rowing Regatta

Inas Global Games 2011The 2nd International Regatta will take place in Gavirate, Italy. It will take place within the FISA sanctioned International Masters Regatta.

Further information including the entry package will be available shortly.

4th World Indoor Rowing Championships

DSC_9387The 4th World Indoor Rowing Championships will take place in Gavirate, Italy. It will take place within the FISA sanctioned International Masters Regatta.

Further information including the entry package will be available shortly.