Britain’s Megan Richter claimed a spectacular women’s PTS4 gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Monday.
The 23-year-old from Birmingham claimed Team GB’s second gold of the day after Dave Ellis in the PTVI with a quite brilliant display in the French capital.
Richter would come home 40 seconds ahead of Spain’s Marta Frances Gomez with Hannah Moore adding another British medal by claiming a brilliant bronze.
It was quite a result for the Brit, who had previous best results in her short paratriathlon career of two victories at World Triathlon Para Cup level. Her three World Triathlon Para Series (WTPS) races this year had yielded runner-up spots in Devonport, Swansea and Montreal.
Swim – Moore blasts off as Richter gives chase
We always thought this race could be very open – and when our pre-race pick for gold Kelly Elmlinger was announced as a DNS, that was truly amplified.
Always a super swimmer, Moore led the way through the opening discipline in some style, exiting the Seine a full two minutes clear of Richter, who led a small group of chasing athletes into T2. Eventual silver medallist, Marta Frances Gomez, was part of that chasing group.
Bike – Moore and Richter in control
Moore’s strengths are in the swim-bike elements of the race, and she kept up the pace on two wheels.
Entering transition, Hannah was still two minutes clear of Richter, who had managed to break clear of the chasers, giving herself a 54 second advantage over Frances Gomez (ESP). That would prove to be so crucial.
The British athletes were very well matched on the bike, clocking splits of 35:47 (Moore) and 35:48 (Richter), versus the 36:41 of their Spanish challenger.
Run – Marvellous Megan surges to gold
Once onto the run, Richter started to close in, and the prospect of two British athletes on the podium was looking very realistic. Richter was gaining fast, and by 3km had moved into the lead. The threat was coming from Spain; Megan looked to be running quick enough to hold off Marta, but could Hannah hold on for silver?
At the finish, Richter could enjoy the moment and with a winning margin of 40 seconds, become Paralympic Games champion. The silver went to Frances Gomez and Spain, with an ecstatic Moore claiming the bronze. That made it five medals on the day for Paralympics GB.
Paralympics Paratriathlon results at Paris 2024
Monday September 2, 2024
PTS4 Women
- 1. Megan Richter (GBR) – 1:14:30
- 2. Marta Frances Gomez (ESP) – 1:15:10
- 3. Hannah Moore (GBR) – 1:16:01
- 4. Camille Seneclauze (FRA) – 1:16:43
- 5. Elise Marc (FRA) – 1:17:00
