Richter and Ellis deliver double triathlon gold

Megan Richter admitted her shock was off the scale after claiming a surprise triathlon gold on a sensational morning around the River Seine.

Richter won the women’s PTS4 title while team-mate Dave Ellis was victorious in the men’s PTVI, alongside guide Luke Pollard.

Richter transitioned to triathlon from swimming and slowly ticked off a two-minute deficit to Hannah Moore in the run, her disbelief evident as she crossed the line, while Moore hung on to take bronze.

“Did that really just happen?” she asked.

“I could feel my legs starting to go but I knew I needed to get to the end. I was out with a stress fracture last year but I went all in full time a few months ago and races started going well at the start of the year. Things just came together and I’m so happy, the timing has been perfect.

“Since I was little this was all that I dreamed about, looking up to people like Ellie Simmonds and wanting to be just like her.

“I didn’t mind the swim, actually I think well done to Paris for trying to clean up their bigger river, I can’t imagine swimming in the Thames through London.”

In sport’s constant quest for the perfect redemption arc, Ellis finally got his happy ending.

Ellis has been a dominant force in para triathlon for nearly a decade but feared his career might be defined by the mechanical issue that forced him to withdraw three years ago in Tokyo. He didn’t even get a certificate for his troubles, after failing to finish the race.

Friends and family - in their red and blue t-shirts - watched anxiously and he and guide Luke Pollard gingerly made their way around the cobbled bike circuit and then cheered, through a mixture of relief and pride, as they dominated the run to win gold in the men’s PTVI event.

“It was a tough couple of years after Tokyo but it feels a bit unreal,” said Ellis.

“You don’t know how many Paralympic races you’ll get in your career, so that added extra nerves and it just feels special to have pulled it off.

“After one lap of the bike I thought ‘I’ve made it further than last time’. I didn’t want to finish my career not even finishing a race at the Games. There was never any doubt I’d carry on and, if I can stay competitive, I’d love to keep on going too”

Ellis is not prone to exaggeration or superlatives, he is - according to partner Claire Cashmore - a man of actions not words.

She crossed the line in silver in the women’s PTS5 event - British defending champion Lauren Steadman took bronze - and immediately asked where Ellis had finished.

“Dave is the most determined, hardworking person I’ve ever met and he’s finally he’s got what he deserves, especially after Tokyo,” said Cashmore, now a ten-time Paralympic medallist.

“I felt so stressed not being able to watch him but I’m so pleased he got his moment.

“I can’t tell you how resilient he is. The work he does every day is inspiring and he deserves everything he gets. He’s a man of few words, we are polar opposites in that respect.”