PARIS (AP) — Elouan Gardon was elated when he took bronze for the United States in the men’s 4000-meter individual pursuit at the Paris Paralympics. The 18-year-old cyclist rode in the C5 classification for athletes with limited to moderate movement in one arm or leg.
“We believed in our strategy going in,” Gardon said. “I was able to pull away and it worked out perfectly.”
The thing is, his strategy went much deeper than what happened on race day. It was part of a process that began right after the Paralympic flame was extinguished in Tokyo three years ago.
To gain an edge on the track, countries have been focusing on finding more sophisticated technologies. Ian Lawless, the director of U.S. Paralympics Cycling, has been overseeing a shift in the sport for the American team.
“We first work on trying to establish an even playing field,” Lawless said, noting the progress Team USA has made. “But now, the focus is about how we can actually work to gain a competitive advantage.”
One of the U.S. team's biggest cycling innovations has been its recent work on aerodynamics. Within its allotted budget, the U.S. has developed more cost-efficient aero designs. The team even had a technology and innovation grant approved by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee last year.
These developments are possible because of how pro cycling rules are made by the Union Cycliste Internationale. It is a working relationship between the sanctioning body and the teams that allows for further innovation.
“We push the envelope,” Lawless said. “And the UCI amends. That’s how it works.”
The specific amount of breathing room for innovation depends on what type of bike is being run. According to Lawless, Paralympic handcycles have had the least amount of standardization compared to other bikes. This allowed them to perform testing that they believed “no one else was doing.”
American multisport star Oksana Masters, who is a double-leg amputee, competes in a handcycling class for the United States. She echoed the uniqueness of her category after claiming her ninth Paralympic gold, this time in the H5 road race.
“We went into the wind tunnel especially for the kneelers because it is such a unique bike,” Masters recalled. “Dialing in what we can and finding those tiny areas of gain is everything.”
Innovation specific to an athlete becomes the primary focus for more tested and standardized bicycles. Lawless noted that Team USA has worked on helmets, race suits and even the positioning of the athlete on the bike as ways to get an edge on the competition.
Innovation in the off-season is one thing, but it is another to put those innovations into action against the rest of the field such as powerhouse Britain, which has won the most overall cycling medals in each of the past four Paralympics.
“They are the gold standard,” said Lawless, adding that the two squads sometimes share notes. “It helps to have an almost unlimited budget.”
Britain's support for Paralympic cycling allows them to perform weekly aero testing, design more individualized bikes, pay full-time aerodynamicists and run their entire operation in-house, Lawless noted.
The United States looks for ways to elevate its program with less funding.
“We are still a top five team globally,” Lawless said. “U.S. Cycling is typically lean and mean, so we look at how we can approach it that way.”
The Americans are already looking forward to the next Paralympics on home soil in Los Angeles. Lawless hopes that the momentum and coverage that France saw this summer with the Games will be replicated in 2028. Another four years of innovation wouldn’t hurt, either.
“We have increased media and more awareness,” Lawless said. “We are hoping that we can leverage that for more support at home.”
Masters agreed.
“The world has got to watch out,” she said. “U.S. para cycling has a lot coming.”
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Jack Rachinsky is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
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AP Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games
Great Britain's Sophie Unwin, right, and her pilot Jenny Holl pose with their gold medals after winning the Women's B Road Race during the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Great Britain's Sophie Unwin and her pilot Jenny Holl celebrate after winning the Women's B Road Race during the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Elouan Gardon of the U.S. competes in the men's C4-5 road race during the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
NEW YORK (AP) — The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards are over, with “Shogun” claiming the top drama prize and “Hacks” winning best comedy.
The hosts, father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, opened the show Sunday night. They won Emmys at the 2020 awards for “Schitt’s Creek.”
“Shogun,” “The Bear” and “Baby Reindeer” were favorites going into the night. “Shogun” emerged with the top drama prize and “Baby Reindeer” snagged the limited series trophy. “Shogun″ extended its lead for most wins by a show in a single season, collecting 18 Emmys this year.
But “Hacks" emerged as the top comedy series, denying “The Bear” a comedy series repeat.
The Emmys are back in their traditional mid-September spot after a single strike-delayed edition in January.
The show began at 8 p.m., Eastern time, and is airing on ABC from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Here's the latest:
“I’m blessed with all the people around me who helped me make it happen. I kind of just feel a bit overwhelmed right now. I wasn’t expecting this,” Richard Gadd said backstage after his three wins for “Baby Reindeer.” “I’m just so glad that the show has touched the lives of so many people, and the Academy have acknowledged it in this way. It’s the greatest night of my life. What can I say?”
Gadd also initially declined to answer a question about the $170 million defamation lawsuit Netflix is facing for the show, but then spoke to its impact. The lawsuit comes from the woman who claims to be the inspiration for the series, which is based off of Gadd’s life and experience with a woman who stalked him.
“It’s easy in this day and age to focus on the negatives,” he said before saying the show has driven some viewers to donate to sexual assault and stalking-focused charities and has done “phenomenal things worldwide for so many people.”
Hiroyuki Sanada is the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for best actor in a drama.
“I am beyond honored to be here with amazing nominees,” he said. “‘Shogun’ taught me when we work together, we can make miracles. We can create a better future together.”
Sanada received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Anna Sawai is the first Japanese actor to win best actress in a drama. The actor, who is a first-time nominee, was tearful throughout her speech.
“I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” she said.
“This to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone,” she added.
“Shogun” also won best drama series.
John Oliver, who won scripted variety series for "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,'' said he was ‘honestly’ happy to get the cue to wrap up when he mentioned his dog during his acceptance speech.
“I’m not well versed in sincerity, as a British person and as a comedian, so I didn’t really want to get upset and thankfully, whoever was on that board, I think said, ‘You can’t carry this off’ and walked me straight into a joke. So, I’m very, very grateful that they gave me the parachute so I could avoid my feelings once more. But yeah, we had a great dog, and we had to say goodbye this week, and it’s brutal,” he said backstage.
In his acceptance, Oliver dedicated his Emmy to his recently deceased dog — and “all dogs.” He quarreled with the play-off music in a bleeped exchange.
Lamorne Morris, star of “Fargo,” is taking home his first Emmy award on his first nomination.
The “New Girl” star was clearly flustered as he accepted the award, saying he has a poster of fellow nominee Robert Downey Jr. in his house and asked him to sign it.
“My beautiful daughter, Lily. I love you. I told you I would do it. You’ve always doubted me,” he joked.
The breakout star from Netflix’s most recent season of “Bridgerton,” Nicola Coughlan added an Artists4Ceasefire red pin to her glittering off-the-shoulder gown. Coughlan has been outspoken in supporting Palestinians and calling for a cease-fire.
Actors across the award season have been wearing the Artists4Ceasefire red pin with a hand holding a heart to demand a cease-fire in Gaza and a release of the Israeli hostages.
Ahead of the premiere of the 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” on Sept. 28, cast members from the sketch show’s storied history have gathered for an unforgettable reunion.
Former members Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Seth Meyers joined current regular Bowen Yang onstage.
The segment leans into the January Emmys’ nostalgia-laden programming, which included Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presenting an award in the style of SNL’s famed “Weekend Update,” along with the casts of “Cheers,” “Martin” and other hit shows reuniting.
Jessica Gunning, who haunts as stalker Martha on “Baby Reindeer,” accepts the Emmy for her performance from a group of actors who have portrayed iconic villains in a fitting pairing. She got emotional as she thanked Richard Gadd, the star and creator of the series.
“I tried so many times to put into words what working on ‘Baby Reindeer’ meant to me and I fail every time,” she said. “It really means a lot. So, thank you, reindeer.”
“Today, a Republican vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. So, as they say, my work here is done,” Candice Bergen wryly said before presenting the lead actress in a comedy series award.
She was referring to her Murphy Brown character being attacked by then-Vice President Dan Quayle for being a single mom.
Her subsequent “meow” got a big laugh and applause from the audience, including Jon Stewart.
For more on this year’s Emmy Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/emmy-awards
Richard Gadd accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for "Baby Reindeer" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Hiroyuki Sanada accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Anna Sawai accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Hosts Eugene Levy, left, and Dan Levy speak during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
