EVERY MORNING, WE bring you all of the info you need to make sure you don’t miss a second of Paralympic gold.
There is one of athlete who is on many people’s lips today: Oscar Pistorius.
The South African, who reached the 400m semi-finals and the 4x400m relay final at the Olympics, participates in the T44 200m at 7.44pm.
In addition, as far as Irish interest is concerned, Jason Smyth will continue his bid for Paralympics dominance at 7.15pm.
Who’s flying the flag?
Eilish Byrne kicks things off with the Equestrian Championship Test - Grade II at 9am.
Following their disappointment on Thursday, James Brown & Damien Shaw compete in the 1km individual time trial B at 9.30am.
Meanwhile, Darragh McDonald is in the 400m freestyle S6 heats at 9.49am.
The Women’s Club Throw F31/32/51 Final takes place from 10am onwards, and there’s Irish interest in the form of Catherine O’Neill.
And of course, following his tremendous performance in the heats last night, Jason Smyth participates in the 100m T13 Final at 7.15pm this evening. Michael McKillop, who (like Smyth) won gold in Beijing, competes in the Men’s 800m – T37 Final at 8.58pm.
The Irish rowing team takes part in the Mixed Coxed Four – LTAMix4+event at 11.30am.
Ailish Dunne competes in the discus throw F11/F12 final at 11.45am.
(Ireland’s James Scully – INPHO/Courtney Crow)
At approximately 10.47am, James Scully is involved in the 200m freestyle S5 heats.
In sailing, Ireland have two teams competing in the Mixed Sailing Final 1 and 2 at 2pm and 3.30pm respectively.
The individual pursuit C5 qualifiers take place between 11.35am and 12.35pm, with Cathal Miller one of those competing.
The Mixed R3 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 qualifiers take place from 1.15pm onwards, and feature Sean Baldwin.
Finally, Ray O’Dwyer is in the javelin F33/34 final at 7.03pm.
Do not miss…
Athletics
You may have heard of a certain athlete by the name of Oscar Pistorius? He competes in the T44 200m campaign at 7.44pm. And there’s the small matter of Jason Smyth being in action in the T13 100m Final at 7.15pm to look forward to as well. And not forgetting another Irish medal hope – Michael McKillop – whose race begins at 8.58pm.
Swimming
Beijing double gold medallist Ellie Simmonds of Great Britain takes part in the 400m freestyle (heats 10:06; finals 17:54), as she vies for glory alongside fellow teenager Victoria Arlen of the US in what should be a fascinating battle involving two highly prodigious athletes.
Cycling
Paralympics legend Sarah Storey features in the 500m time trial in the Velodrome at 2.25pm, as she bids to add to the substantial list of accolades she has already acquired over the course of her career.
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Do they wear those things all the time? Great invention compared to a wheel chair.
No! Normal prosthetic legs for everyday use. Bit difficult to get your trousers over those each morning.
What does the T44 mean before the 200m?
David, all the Paralympic events have a classification which explains the disability that the athlete has so that athletes with similar disabilities can compete against each other. After all it wouldn’t be possible for an athlete who is blind to compete against an athlete who is an amputee.
In athletics classifications from T40 to T46, which includes Oscar Pistorius’ T44 class, are for athletes with an impairment that affects their arms or legs, including amputees. There are other classifications as well. For example the Irish sprinter Jason Smyth (who hopefully will win gold tonight in the 100m) competes in the T13 class which is a class for athletes with visual impairments.
Each sport has its own classifications. If you look at the official Paralympic site (http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/) under the section for each sport they have a link which explains that classifications that exist within the sport.
T44? More like the T1000…