Jessica Lewis Finishes 7th In Paralympics 400m
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Jessica Lewis said she was encouraged by her performance in the T53 400 metres final in the Paralympic Games at the Stade de France in Paris today [September 5].
The four-time Paralympian finished seventh, clocking a time of 1min 00.82sec, and said she was happy with how she executed her race.
“I was hoping to get a personal best time, but I’ve never been that close to Angela Ballard [of Australia] before,” Lewis told Bernews. “I’m happy with that.
“I sometimes have to remind myself it’s not the 100 and to take it easy at the start because there’s 300 metres to go. It’s a mental game at that point.”
Lewis, who came fifth in the T53 100 final yesterday – her priority event – described her experience at the Games as “phenomenal” and said she is excited about the next four years as she looks towards the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
The 31-year-old will head home to Bermuda for a month before returning to Victoria, British Columbia, where she trains under her new coach, Geoff Harris, at the Athletics Canada West Hub.
“I get to do what I love and couldn’t be happier,” she said. “I won’t take too long off training. I have the Para Athletics World Championships next year and am excited to see what I can do.”
Catherine Debrunner, of Switzerland, won today’s race in 51.60, with Samantha Kinghorn coming second in 53.45 and Hongzhuan Zhou, of China, third in 55.09.
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