Riech reaches his golden goal

Nate Riech came into the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with only one goal: to win gold in the men’s 1,500 metres. He did that and more Saturday, setting a new Paralympic record and dominating the field in a time of 3:58.92. 

“I felt like I got too concentrated on winning gold, so my sport psychologist and I came up with; just try to make that 10-year-old me who was paralyzed in a hospital bed proud. That was my goal and I think I did that,” said Riech. 

After settling into second spot early in the race behind France’s Louis Radius, Riech stepped on the gas in the second lap, leaving everyone behind. He crossed the finish line more than four seconds ahead of silver medallist, Abdelkrim Krai of Algeria. 

“When Radius went, that was perfect. I slipped in behind him and when I could hear him starting to breathe heavy I put on the gas. It’s time to go,” said Riech. “I thought I could run and get away like I did at the World Championships. Then I wanted to enjoy the last 200 metres, and I did that.” 

Even slowing somewhat during that last stretch, Riech’s Paralympic record is a point of pride that he shares with those who have helped him achieve his golden goal. 

“I think it’s great. I’m pretty overwhelmed right now. I’m just really proud of my team and everyone who has helped me get here. Canada had a great go this last couple of weeks, it’ awesome to be part of that,” said Riech. 

Liam Stanley finished fifth in the race, setting a new T37 Paralympic record in the process with his time of 4:06.95. 

“I executed the race the way I wanted to execute it. I just didn’t have the finish that the guys ahead of me had. I’m proud of the effort I put in and if I wasn’t going to medal, I was going to walk away from here with a record,” said Stanley. “It’s a really big achievement. Next to my world record, it’s the biggest record I’ve broken in my career and to take it off a guy like Michael McKillop – probably the greatest ambulatory runner ever – is something I’m really proud of.” 

Renee Foessel finished fourth in the women's F38 discus final with a best throw of 32.23 metres in some incredibly rainy conditions. 

“The pouring rain was very difficult but we went in prepared for the elements, we had a game plan, and we executed it the best we could,” said Foessel. “I was hoping to achieve a better result but when it comes to the day, you have to go out there and do the best you can. Today, unfortunately, that wasjust the best I could do.”  

Jenn Brown also fought through the rain to a best throw of 27.57 metres, finishing eighth in the F38 discus final. 

“I was happy that with every throw I continued to build. I didn’t panic, even at the end when it was very wet. It was something we tried to adjust to but I just couldn’t get my left side to work with me today,” said Brown. “The rain is a challenge, but it’s just something we have to work with.”  

Thomas Normandeau crossed the line in sixth place with a time of 50.02 seconds in the men's T45 400 metres to conclude Canada’s night in Tokyo. 

“I felt better than I did yesterday. I had the inner lane and I got to gauge myself against the field. I was able to go out a little more conservative and find myself in within the field and put it all together at the end of the race,” said Normandeau. “There were a couple front-heavy guys in the race and it’s always fun to compete against them and aspire to be like them one day.” 

Hours earlier, Austin Smeenk started Canada’s day on the track with a big effort in the men’s T34 800-metre final. Fighting through traffic for much of the race, he finished 5th with a time of 1:47.58. 

“I was somewhat surprised at the pace we came in with around that first corner. I was expecting everyone to go a little harder. There was quite a bit of bumping and rubbing going on and I was a little leery of that. I was being mindful about what could potentially turn into a crash, with so many people so tightly bunched up,” said Smeenk. “I got myself into a boxed-in position. I had to wait until the lanes opened up a bit and, at that point, it was too late.” 

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