In an exhilarating display of athletic prowess at the Stade de France, Team USA’s Jaydin Blackwell and Ryan Medrano dominated the men’s T38 400-meter race at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Blackwell, who has been a standout performer, clinched gold with a remarkable world-record-tying time of 48.49 seconds. His teammate, Medrano, secured silver with a personal best of 49.74 seconds. This achievement marks the second time in four days that Blackwell and Medrano have finished first and second in their respective events, with Blackwell topping the podium both times.
The pair’s exceptional performances are a testament to their rigorous training and competitive spirit. Medrano, reflecting on his preparation, said, “This is the first time I’ve been excited to run a 400. I’ve been preparing relentlessly, aiming to break 50 seconds. Meeting that goal and setting a personal best has been incredibly satisfying.” Their impressive finishes underscore their dominance in the T38 category, highlighting Team USA’s strength and depth in track and field events.
In another thrilling event, 19-year-old Ezra Frech captured the gold medal in the men’s T63 high jump. Despite being the world record holder, Frech faced fierce competition from Indian jumpers Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu. Frech cleared 1.94 meters to secure the top spot. His victory was hard-earned, as he battled through the final attempts to pull ahead. Frech, who has kept a motivational picture from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics on his phone, shared his thoughts, saying, “The photo reminds me of where I’ve been and where I want to go. It’s a source of motivation, even if it represents a past loss.”
Frech’s triumph adds to the U.S. team’s impressive medal haul and highlights his determination and skill. His respect for his competitors is evident as he acknowledged their strong performances: “They are all exceptional jumpers. I prepared thoroughly for this competition, knowing the high level of talent I would face.”
Team USA’s success was not limited to Blackwell, Medrano, and Frech. Brittni Mason earned her third Paralympic medal, winning silver in the T47 women’s 100 meters with a time of 12.10 seconds. Additionally, Susannah Scaroni contributed to the U.S. medal count with a bronze finish in the T54 women’s 1,500 meters, clocking in at 3:16.68.
