“It’s insane to think of this time two years ago, I had a relapse and I got re-diagnosed, going to hospital”.
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Her winning time today pushed fellow Briton Dame Sarah Storey down to fourth as the 12-time Paralympic gold medallist failed to make it onto the podium.
“As an athlete with MS I don’t know where I’m going to be in four years’ time”.
Rolfe crossed the line in 1:15.788, an improvement on the time that secured him a bronze medal in the C2 1km time trial at the world championships in March. And she was relaxed on Saturday ahead of her historic ride.
“Today I was plaiting people’s hair and watching (film) Coach Carter”.
“She was such an inspiration to me and naming my chair after her means she can be with me here and she can celebrate all my successes”, said Cockroft, who will now race over the 400m and 800m, after the 200m, in which she won gold in London, was taken off the programme.
“I didn’t come down as quickly as I wanted to – I was on a high”, she added. “Hats off, it’s been possible and she’s done a great job”.
“It was always going to be a big challenge, but we’re all about big challenges”, Norfolk said. “She’s a race-day deliverer”.
Her time of 17.43 resulted in the 24-year-old from Halifax setting a new Paralympic record. Moments later Toby Gold was unable to live up to his name, finishing with silver in the T33 100m, with Andrew Small taking bronze.
Wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft and triathlete Andy Lewis also claimed titles as Britain’s overall tally moved to 35 medals, 15 of them gold.
“I’m the fastest pursuiter out there and I’ve been beaten by the sprinters which is how it should be”.
“In my head winning one title was vast, it was fantastic in London, but you are a truly talented athlete if you can defend it”.
“I can’t believe this, I am so happy”, she beamed.
Andy Lewis brings home a gold medal.
“I can not really explain how I feel but it just means so much to me”.
“I thought that I was dreaming”, said the 33-year-old from Lydney in Gloucestershire. “I’m just in shock, I’m Paralympic, world and European champion and perhaps I’ll have my first beer in two years now”.
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Aside from Tai’s bronze, there was disappointment at the aquatics centre, however.
