Kate O’Brien Wins Bronze at 2024 Paralympic Games

PARIS – Canadian Para cyclist Kate O’Brien, hailing from Calgary, achieved a remarkable feat by securing Canada’s first medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games, winning bronze in the women’s 500m sprint.

This achievement marks O’Brien’s second career medal at the Paralympic Games, having previously earned a silver in the same event at Tokyo 2020. O’Brien was also a member of the 2016 Olympic cycling team in Rio de Janeiro before her unfortunate accident.

In her own words, O’Brien expressed the significance of this moment, stating, “It’s very surreal. I honestly didn’t think this was in the cards, and I’ve never won the first medal of anything. It just means a lot, to have so much support behind it, family and friends I can’t even describe it.”

Caroline Groot from the Netherlands, a six-time reigning world champion, clinched the gold medal with a time of 35.566 seconds. French cyclist Marle Patouillet secured the silver medal with a time of 36.700 seconds, while O’Brien clocked in at 37.370 seconds.

Despite not matching her previous result, O’Brien regarded her medal win as a significant accomplishment, stating, “The year leading into these Games was a bit challenging for training. I honestly didn’t even know if I would make the team. So coming here and making the top six from the heats to make the finals and ending with a medal is a dream.”

Among her supporters were her mother, wife Meaghan, and their eight-month-old son, Robin, who were present to cheer her on during the event. “Having family here has been so amazing,” O’Brien noted. “Tokyo was a great Games but obviously different, and being able to wave at family in the crowd was just amazing to share that.”

Additionally, Keely Shaw from Midale, Saskatchewan, ranked 10th in the same event, setting a personal best of 40.431 seconds. Shaw’s primary focus remains on the women’s C4 3000m pursuit, scheduled for Friday, where she previously earned a bronze medal at the 2020 Games.

Reflecting on her race, Shaw remarked, “To beat my personal best by over a second is a big confidence booster. I’m going to take away a reminder that when I’m having fun, I go fast on bikes.”