Gingras powers to the podium

Athletics Canada coaches preach performance on demand – coming through with your strongest performance when it counts the most. That was the story of Day 5 for Canada’s Para athletics team in Tokyo. 

Zach Gingras came up with a Canadian record time in the men’s T38 400-metre final and earned his first Paralympic medal, a bronze, in a time of 50.85 seconds. Coming down the last 100 metres, he was one of a handful of runners in medal contention. Gingras pulled into third position and then held off a challenge at the line to earn that coveted Paralympic medal. 

“It means so much. It’s been a tough 18 months for everyone so to come out here and perform the way I did is nice to show that all my hard work paid off,” said Gingras. “I just tried to run it like my heats. I went in relaxed and tried not to let the moment get to me too much. I got out fast and kept that same pace.” 

Gingras, who was the 2019 Parapan American Games silver medallist, came into the Paralympics having finished eighth at the 2019 World Championships. “I wish my family were here to share the moment with me. It would have been something special, but I’m sure they’re probably crying on the couch back in Canada.” 

Marissa Papaconstantinou definitely performed on demand. Racing the women’s T64 200-metre heats and finals on the same day, she set new Canadian records in both those races, ultimately finishing fifth in the final with a time of 27.08 seconds. 

“To be at my best all season right now, when it matters the most, is definitely a huge accomplishment. I really can’t be upset with the result. Obviously, there’s a desire for more, but I gave it all I could today and I’m really happy with it,” said Papaconstantinou. “It was hard because when I realized I was really in the race and medalling was a potential, I think I had a moment when I stopped running my own race and tightened up a little bit. It’s a learning curve and something to improve upon in the future.” 

Next up for Papaconstantinou is the women’s T64 100-metre heats Thursday. “It’s going to be a couple of busy days on the second and third. I’m going to shift my focus to the 100 metres. It’s going to be very competitive. Because everyone’s really tight in time,” said Papaconstantinou. 

Both Gingras and Papaconstantinou are also slated to be part of Canada’s 4x100-metre universal relay team that will hit the track Thursday night for the heats. If they qualify for the final, it will be a quick turnaround before they compete again Friday morning. 

“I’m really looking forward to the relay. It’s going to be a lot of fun to be out there with some teammates, which will be really special,” said Papaconstantinou. 

“I’ll enjoy this tonight and then it’s back to getting primed tomorrow for the relay and hopefully getting another of these (Paralympic medals) around my neck,” said Gingras. 

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