Paralympic cyclists carry on gold rush, setting world records

Source: Xinhua | 09-08-2008 20:23

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Five world records fell at the cycling track on the second day of the Beijing Paralympics here on Monday.

American Jennifer Schuble blitzed the Laoshan Velodrome to secure the first cycling gold for the United States, setting a new world record of the CP4 class in the women's 500m time trial.

"It is the best time since I ever ride 500 (500 metres time trial). I feel super strong and very stable. It is a perfect track for me and very smooth...people were cheering for me," said the 32-year-old.

"The Chinese did a good job today. I felt great pressure from them and I admire them a lot," she said of silver and bronze medallists Ye Yaping and Dong Jingping, who added the first two medals for the host.

"I did my personal best in the competition today. The silver is satisfactory," said Ye, who broke the world record of the LC2 class.

In the women's 500m time trial (LC3-4/CP 3), New Zealand cyclist Paula Tesoriero tumbled heavily to the track after setting a new world record of LC3 class at 43.281 seconds. But she came back strong on the top podium to receive the first-ever Paralympic gold for her country.

"It really hurts, but happiness of success makes me feel much better, and even let me forget the pain," said a smiling Tesoriero.

Her rival Aussie Jayme Paris, the bronze medallist, refreshed the world record of the CP3 class at 44.490 seconds.

British Anthony Kappes and his pilot Barney Storey scooped gold at men's 1km time trial, breaking their previous world record.

"There are so much training to win the gold medal. Teamates, families and friends, all these people support you. You know it is for all of these people," said the 35-year-old Kappes.

Michael Gallagher from Australia and Jiri Jezek from the Czech Republic snatched gold medals in men's 4km individual pursuit of the LC1 and LC2 classes, respectively.

So far, Britain and Australia have collected four and three gold medals out of ten at the Paralympic cycling.

Editor:Zhang Ning