Aussie flag bearer Madison de Rozario secures bronze after rivals' dramatic crash
In a three-way battle and gunning for a spot on the podium at the Paris Paralympics, Australia's Madison de Rozario claimed bronze in the women's T54 5000m.
The five-time Paralympian held Swiss athletes Patricia Eachus and Manuela Schaer in hot pursuit as she stormed home over the finish line.
De Rozario's pursuit got off to a dramatic start in the final with officials restarting the race due to an early crash.
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Eden Rainbow-Cooper of Great Britain collided with Ireland's Shauna Bocquet heading into the first turn, with Rainbow-Cooper falling from her chair.
The incident rattled the mindsets of many competitors including de Rozario, who said the crash threw her race plan out of sync.
"[My start] really came together perfectly and then I had this bit of a shock when I heard the guns go again to call us back," de Rozario said.
"It was a bit daunting. I wasn't sure what that [my second start] was going to look like, but I'm happy."
Australia's Madison de Rozario pictured during the medal ceremony. Getty
The opening ceremony flag bearer was wearing an enormous smile as she celebrated picking up bronze.
"It was so elusive," she said.
"I was fourth when I first raced it, down to fifth in Tokyo, and it was one of the worst races of my career.
"I'm glad to get on the podium.
"It's one of my favourite events."
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De Rozario won silver in the 800m at Rio 2016, bronze in the 1500m at Tokyo 2020, and gold in the 800m and marathon in Japan.
Switzerland's Catherine Debrunner produced a near-perfect race to take home gold, while USA's Susannah Scaroni crossed in second.
De Rozario's focus will now shift to the 1500m on Tuesday, before the marathon event on Sunday.
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