Paris 2024 Flash Quotes: Archery

Comments from ParalympicsGB archers following today’s ranking rounds.

Jodie Grinham, who is seven months pregnant, shot a personal best 693 to rank fourth in the women’s compound while defending champion Phoebe Paterson Pine shot 688 and ranks seventh.

Victoria Kingstone set a new international personal best as she ranked sixth in the Women’s WI ahead of Saturday’s head-to-head matches.

She will face Brazil’s Juliana Cristina Ferreira da Silva who ranked 11th.

Jodie Grinham

Sport: Archery, Women’s Compound

Age: 31

Hometown: Cardigan

“It's brilliant to get that score, I want to compete. I didn't want this Games to just be about a pregnant woman taking part, I wanted to be competitive.

“It was just about getting me here, getting me competing and getting me home to see the midwife.

“I've been looked after so well, they told me there was no point saying to rest because I'm here to compete.

“I feel really good, baby is perfectly healthy, I'm healthy and we've just got to make sure nothing progresses.

“I know I can do more, it's a personal best but there's lots of room for improvement. The key for me was finishing in that top four and that gives me a day off competition to focus on tweaking things and making myself better.

"I’m pregnant, so what? If I worked in an office they’d be fine for me working there until I’m 39 weeks pregnant. So what’s the difference for me competing at the Paralympics?

“I want to be a mother and an athlete. I'm not willing to sacrifice either of them.”

Phoebe Paterson Pine

Sport: Archery, Women’s Compound

Age: 26

Hometown: Siddington

On her performance:

“I got my stung on my finger which is not ideal when it's your release finger. It was unfortunate but I managed it well but what a time for it to happen.

“I'm not sure it made much difference. I actually shot better after it but it's painful and really does hurt but I just tried to focus on my own process. Overall I'm just very proud of myself, I shot a lot better than I did in Tokyo and that shows how I've grown as an athlete over the past three years.”

On competing as Paralympic champion:

"I was so proud to shoot in front of a sign that says Paralympic Champion. It wasn't off-putting, I just loved being able to show off that this is what I can do, this is what I'm good at. Although I won gold in Tokyo, every single Games is about starting fresh.”

Victoria Kingstone

Sport: Archery, Women’s WI

Age: 43

Hometown: Camberley

“I don’t know what to say. I’m really, really happy to get a new international PB on the biggest stage. You always want to keep to what you’ve been doing in training but to actually do better is a pleasant surprise. I love competing with the other women. We’re not opponents, we’re friends and everyone celebrates each other.

“This is the first time she [Silva of Brazil, her opponent in the next round] has competed outside of the Americas so we’ve never seen her before. Sometimes that can be a good thing as you have no expectations going into that. We have to take it as it comes and see how it goes on Saturday.

“I’m slightly terrified [of the head-to-head rounds, which take place on Saturday] because it is so different to anything else. But they’ve done such a good job of making it feel really special. So yeah I’m looking forward to it.”