Italian wheelchair fencing star Bebe Vio suffers upset, UK's Storey wins 18th gold
Star Italian wheelchair fencer Bebe Vio suffered a shock defeat on Wednesday to Xiao Rong of China in the semi-final, but British cycling great Sarah Storey, competing in her ninth Paralympics, won her 18th gold in the time trial – then called the course "appalling".
Star Italian wheelchair fencer Bebe Vio suffered a shock defeat at the Paralympics on Wednesday but British cycling great Sarah Storey won her 18th gold -- then slammed the "appalling" course.
Storey, who is competing in her ninth Paralympics, dominated the C5 time trial in the Paris suburbs ahead of French hope Heidi Gaugain.
But Storey, 46, said the 14.1 kilometres course was "appalling" and that she had never raced on a Games course shorter than 22km.
"This is the shortest Paralympic time trial we have ever had, and I think it's a real shame because we don't get to showcase para-sport in the way we want to," Storey said.
"You'll have to ask organisers. There's plenty of time in the day for us to do two laps like the men. Having fought so hard for parity in women's cycling, to not have it is a real disappointment.
The Briton added: "I really hope that they never do this to the women again because I think it's been appalling."
Storey, who was born without a functioning left hand, has now won 29 Paralympics medals of all colours since she made her debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games in the sport of swimming aged 14.
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