Broome doubles up with second straight bronze

Olivia Broome fought back the tears as she claimed bronze in Para powerlifting at Paris 2024.

The 23-year-old claimed her second Paralympic medal, having also won bronze in the women’s up to 50kg category at Tokyo 2020.

Broome, who trains at Loughborough University, was cheered on in the crowd by her parents, a far cry from her experience in Japan.

“I tried not to cry,” she admitted. “It really shows off all the hard work that we put into it. It’s great.

“Over the moon, happy, emotional is another word. I don’t think I can put into words what this means to me.

“My experience in Paris has been amazing, it’s very different from Tokyo, it has been a dream really.

“Going into the Village, interacting with other sports and getting to see other sports, it has been a dream.”

A former age-grade world champion in the event, Broome is the reigning world champion in the 50kg category and won lightweight silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham two years ago.

Broome’s first lift of 112kg powered her into provisional silver medal position, dropping down to bronze after her second lift of 114kg.

Eventual gold medallist Venezuela’s Clara Sarahy Fuentes Monasterio moved above her with a successful lift of 120kg before setting a Paralympic record of 124kg with her final effort.

Broome was one of only two lifters to succeed in all three attempts, lifting 119kg to finish six kilogrammes clear of Chile’s Camila Campos in fourth.

China’s Jinping Xiao also lifted 119kg, but having done so on her first attempt, claimed silver ahead of Broome.

She added: “I saw my parents as I was going on, my parents were up in the stands and my physio pointed them out to me so I knew where to look when I came off.

“It is a dream to have them come and watch, support the sport and see what it is all about, and to get to experience it.

“As soon as I am walking out, I’m like head down, I don’t see anyone but as soon as I do my lift, I am like ‘hi, hi, hi’ and waving.

“It is the same processes for each lift but I could hear everyone in the stadium, and it is such a nice feeling to have the crowds cheering, even the French fans cheering which is amazing.”

In the men’s -65kg category, Mark Swan put in a terrific performance to reach the podium on his debut appearance for ParalympicsGB.

Seaham-born Swan excelled in the men’s up to 65kg category with powerlifting events held at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.

Swan began with a solid 203kg lift, with close rivals Amir Jafari Arangeh of Iran and Nigeria’s Thomas Kure failing to execute at 203kg and 202kg respectively.

He then got a green light at 208kg and 213kg to strengthen his grip on a medal, but the 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist only had eyes for gold.

Unfortunately, he was unable to pull off a good lift at 221kg meaning he took silver with China’s Zou Yi claiming top spot having banked 215kg earlier on.

“It wasn’t what I was intending, I wanted a gold medal,” said Swan/

“I gave it absolutely everything. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, but next time, next time.”

Zou matched the world title he won in 2023 with a Paralympic equivalent, while Swan took a big leap from fourth place at the World Championships onto the podium.

Bronze went to Hocine Better of Algeria, who lifted 209kg.

The Commonwealth Games was Swan’s first experience of a multi-sport environment and the north-east native has relished his even bigger and better Paralympic moment.

“It has been a phenomenal experience,” said Swan. “Everything is new to me, I’m still soaking it all in and it’s flown by. I’ll have a rest now and get ready to watch the rest of the team.

“I’m looking forward to the future, this is just the start. I’ll get my head down and try and smash every gym session. The support has been phenomenal and I appreciate every single person who has helped me get here