Alice Tai didn’t even expect to make the ParalympicsGB team - but she’s leaving Rio with a bronze medal after a storming swim in the 100m backstroke S10 final.
Four years ago Tai, just 17, carried the Olympic torch before London 2012 and watched every session of Paralympics swimming, with New Zealander Sophie Pascoe her biggest inspiration.
Pascoe claimed the seventh Paralympic title of her storied career with a storming swim for gold but Tai, in the lane alongside her, hung on for bronze in 1:09.39.
And it was quite an achievement considering Tai was initially selected for the ParalympicsGB team as a relay swimmer. She said: “I never thought that was possible. I never even expected to make the team at the start of the year, it’s crazy.
“Four years ago I was trying to get a picture with Sophie and now I’m on a podium with her, I look up to her so much and it’s a dream come true what's happening to me right now.
“I’m rooming with Ellie Robinson and what she did was so inspiring. I think there are some big celebrations ahead when we finish our competitions."
Andrew Mullen secured a new personal best and European record but still missed out on a medal at the Olympic Aquatic Centre.
The Scot - who won won bronze in the 200m freestyle S5 - clocked 36.32 secs, three tenths of second behind Brazilian bronze medallist Daniel Dias, while American Roy Perkins took gold ahead of China’s He Shiwei.
Robinson didn’t add to her 50m butterfly S6 gold from 24 hours previously after finishing fourth in the 50m freestyle S6 final.
The 15-year schoolgirl clocked 35.25 secs while four-time Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds - whose focus will be on the longer distances later in the Games - finished sixth in 35.54 secs.
Robinson, who will also compete in the 400m freestyle and 100m freestyle in the days ahead, said:
“It felt great to get back in the pool. This wasn’t my best event, I’ve had that already, so it was like a little warm-up for Tokyo in four years time. After winning my gold this is my bonus Paralympics now.
“I felt confident coming in knowing that I was swimming well and on form but these Games are so unpredictable and you never know where you are going to finish.”