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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Grand'Maison takes swimming gold in world-record time
Grand�Maison (CP)
LONDON -- Valerie Grand'Maison ended Canada's lull in gold medals at the Paralympic Games Friday.
The 24-year-old from Fleurimont, Que., won the women's 200-metre individual medley in a visually impaired class in world-record time.
"I was not expecting a world record," Grand'Maison said. "I did not expect to go that fast. That's the best prize, to be surprised at myself."
It was Grand'Maison's third medal in London after taking silver in both the 100 and 50 freestyle.
It also ended a dry spell at the top of the podium for Canada as her gold was the country's first since Tuesday.
With two days of competition remaining in London, Canada had five gold, 14 silver and eight bronze medals for a total of 27.
The Canadian team's stated objective is a top-eight finish in the gold-medal count. With two days of competition remaining, Canada was tied for 21st.
Day 10 was a multi-medal day for Canada with a gold, three silver and a bronze.
Also in the pool, Amber Thomas of Drayton Valley, Alta., claimed silver in the S11 400-metre freestyle.
At the track, wheelchair sprinter Brent Lakatos of Dorval, Que., earned his third silver medal of the Games by finishing second in the 200 metres.
Ottawa's Jason Joseph Dunkerly and his guide Joshua Karanja were silver medallists in the men's 5,000 metres for visually impaired athletes.
Virginia McLachlan of Windsor, Ont., earned bronze in the women's 100 metres in the T35 classification, which is cerebral palsy.
Grand'Maison was Canada's most decorated athlete at the 2008 Paralympic in Beijing with three swimming gold and a bronze. She also set two world records there. A shoulder injury last year threatened to end her career.
So she was relieved to gain another gold in what she saw as her last chance to get one. Grand'Maison races the 100-metre breaststroke today, but feels she's a long shot for a medal there.
Grand'Maison eclipsed the previous world record in the 200 IM with a time of two minutes 27.64 seconds.
"The pressure is finally off," Grand'Maison said. "I have had a rough week. I have had highs and lows, but I have overcome all this.
"Tonight... I'm going to cry on the podium."
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 8, 2012 C8
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