The Paris Paralympics 2024 has showcased incredible courage and passion from athletes around the world, with Jodie Grinham of Great Britain standing out as a remarkable example.
Competing while seven months pregnant, Grinham made history by winning a medal, becoming the first para-athlete to achieve this feat while pregnant at the Paris Paralympics.
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The 31-year-old is earning widespread admiration for her remarkable spirit. Competing in the Paris Paralympics 2024 while seven months pregnant, Grinham faced off against fellow Briton Phoebe Patterson Paine in the women's compound bronze medal match.
In what turned out to be a hard-fought battle, Grinham emerged victorious with a score of 142-141, securing the bronze medal.
With this victory, Grinham became the first para-athlete to win a medal at the Paris Paralympics while pregnant. At approximately 28 weeks, or seven months into her pregnancy, she made the bold decision to compete in the event.
"I wasn't expecting that. I knew I could do it, but I didn't mean 'yeah, I'm gonna win a medal'. There was no guarantee," Grinham was quoted as saying by worldarchery.sport .
Jodie Grinham, who has a disability in her left hand and shoots with her right, has not only made history in the women's compound but has also advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mixed Team Compound in archery. This match is scheduled to be played today, September 2nd.
"That's one of the biggest things I've said in interviews. I know people were already going to look at me and say 'Oh, well done, you've done it. You've competed pregnant'. But I didn't want that. I wanted more."
"I wanted to show that I am not here to participate pregnant. I am here to compete and win medals pregnant. And I think I got that cross, which I'm really glad about," Grinham said.