2024 Paralympics schedule Aug. 31: Archers, cyclists and swimmers going for gold

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PARIS (AP) — On the third day of the Paris Paralympics, medals will be handed out in seven sports on Saturday.

They are archery, athletics, track cycling, swimming, shooting and table tennis. Taekwondo concludes after three days with medals being awarded in the heavyweight categories.

Here’s a closer look at what to watch out for.

Long comes back

Swimmer Jessica Long, the second most decorated Paralympian in U.S. history, will compete on Saturday in her first event of four.

Long, who has 29 Paralympic medals, will try to qualify for the women’s 100-meter backstroke final in S8, which is for swimmers with restrictions in the lower limbs, use of one arm or loss of all limbs.

She has medaled in the last four Paralympics in the event, most recently taking bronze in Tokyo.

Americans advance in archery

American Tracy Otto will face China’s Jing Liu in the women’s archery quarterfinals.

Otto began shooting arrows for the first time after recovering from eye and spine injuries following a brutal attack at home five years ago.

Britain faces France in rugby

Britain faces host France on Saturday in wheelchair rugby with a berth in the semifinals likely on the line. Britain defeated Denmark 55-53 on Friday to remain undefeated in pool play.

Stuart Robinson led Britain with 26 tries.

The sport commonly nicknamed “murderball” is being staged at the Champ de Mars Arena, which would have been in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower were it not for the Paralympics’ first rainy day.

France finished sixth at the Tokyo Paralympics and also is undefeated in pool play.

Corso a medal contender in 1,500

Liza Corso of the U.S. will enter the women’s 1,500 meters on Saturday with the second best time in the T13 classification (vision impairment), behind only Tigist Menigstu of Ethiopia.

Corso won the 1,500 silver in Tokyo in a personal best 4 minutes, 30.67 seconds. Corso bested that time in the U.S. Paralympic Trials at 4:26.69.

Chinese dominating table tennis

China could play China for the table tennis men’s doubles gold medal.

Yiqing Zhao is two wins away from defending his Tokyo title. He and Chaodong Liu followed a win over the United States in straight sets by beating Poland 3-1 on Friday in class 9 (mild impairment that affects the legs or playing arm).

In the semifinals on Saturday, Yiqing and Chaodong play Brazilians Claudio Massad and Luiz Felipe Manara at at South Paris Arena. Lian Hao and Zhao Shuai are in the other semifinal.

Mazur inspired by home crowd

French badminton standout Lucas Mazur won the Tokyo men’s singles gold in an empty stadium. This time, La Chapelle Arena is packed and Mazur is inspired. He leads his group in the SL4 classification (standing with some impairment) and can secure top spot going into the semifinals against India’s Tarun Tarun on Saturday.

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Ana Escamilla and Gabriella Etienne contributed. They and Leo are students in the undergraduate certificate program in the Carmical Sports Media Institute at the University of Georgia.

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AP Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games