Paralympic Diary Day 10 – Final Day

Ten exciting days of sport have taken place in Paris and the 2024 Paralympic Games came to end for Team Ireland yesterday.

Amongst the last athletes to compete were IWA members Mary Fitzgerald and Britney Ardense and it was definitely worth the wait.

Kilkenny thrower Mary Fitzgerald, qualified for her second F40 Shot Put final and finished eighth with a best throw of 7.64m. The 24-year-old from Gowran AC was ranked fifth thanks to her personal best of 8.87m this season but, on an unseasonably wet and cold morning in Paris, just could not find her sharpest form. 

She opened her series with 7:49m. Her best throw came in the second round and was enough to make the top eight who got three extra throws, but she could not improve on that. 

Reflecting immediately afterwards Fitzgerald said: “Sometimes you just have those days and today wasn’t my day. After all the warm weather training I’ve done the weather was unexpected, but you have to be able to deal with that. I really gave it my best; it just wasn’t to be.” 

Mary has been a committed Para Athletics athlete for many years and competes in the IWA Para Athletics Grand Prix competitions which IWA runs from April to September every year. 

Later on that day Para Powerlifter, Britney Ardense took to the stage at the Arena Porte de la Chapelle and smashed her personal best coming fourth overall in the competition.

The Cavan native, nicknamed Spartacus by all who know her, put in a valiant effort with three clean lifts which were all personal bests. Her previous PB was set in Dubai in 2023 with a lift of 124kg. 

There was stiff competition for the other seven competitors with included both the World Record holder Miaoyu Han of China (set in Tbilisi this year, June 2024) with a lift of 153kg. Han went on to set a new World Record and ultimately won the competition with a lift of 154kg.  

Britney’s Dad, Denver was on the stage with her as a spotter, whose role is to keep the weightlifter safe and prevent them from injuring themselves or others. 

Britney played Wheelchair Basketball with Irish Wheelchair Association’s Club, Northeast Thunder based in Louth, before taking up Para Powerlifting. Britney has been taking the Para Powerlifting world by storm since she started Para Powerlifting at the age of 16 and has gone on to inspire many other young women to get into the sport.   

She said, ”I’m really happy with that. The plan was for two clean lifts so to get three clean lifts and three personal bests, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I’m really happy with where I have placed.” 

“It has been an agonising wait to compete, I was ready a week ago and now I’m ready to spend some time with my family and friends. I am hugely grateful to my other Team Ireland athletes, family and friends who are all her today to cheer me on. The noise from the Irish fans in the crowds really encouraged me.” 

Speaking of her dad, Denver Ardense’s, appointment to the Paralympic Team for these games as spotter, she said; “It has been great to have my Dd by my side throughout these Games. Dad has been my coach on a day-to-day basis and Roy (Guerin) is my coach at international level and without the two of them I would not be here today. I am hugely grateful to them.” 

Speaking of the success of the Paralympic Games outside the La Chappelle Arena, Director of Sport, IWA, Nicky Hamill said; “I was delighted to be in Paris to catch three super days of jam packed sport and in particular it has been an honour to cheer on IWA’s athletes. I hope our athletes at home, have been inspired by these Games, many will have met our Paralympians at events and I hope they have enjoyed cheering them on. It’s also been fantastic to see Para Sport televised, bringing it to a wider audience. For anyone with a physical disability who would like to get involved in Para Sport, at any level, please do get in touch with us.”

IWA CEO, Ann Marie O’Grady added: “These Games have been incredible. Seeing the professionalism of each athlete and the coaches and volunteers behind them has been admirable. I also a chance to see some of the Wheelchair Basketball matches which is a huge sport for IWA and I hope that more athletes come get involved in our clubs at any level. We hope that not only children will get involved but also maybe some adults, who hadn’t thought about taking up a sport before. Throughout the Paralympic Games it has been very interesting to see that there are people of all ages competing so I would urge people to give it a go. I would also like to mention the coaches and families because their support is vital to our athletes too. Thank you for everything you do.”

Well done to these amazing talented athletes who have represented Ireland on the world stage in Paris over the past ten days. They have flown the flag for Ireland both on and off the field of play.

Every time we spoke to each athlete their love for their sport shone through. Each spoke of their hope that spotlight the Paralympic Games shines on Para Sport would encourage anyone with a disability to try a sport. Lots spoke about participation in sport being a key factor in bringing joy and friendship into their lives.

At IWA, we hope that you have enjoyed our coverage of these Games and if you would like to try a sport, get in touch with us today.