ORLA COMERFORD HAS won her T13 100m heat to qualify for tonight’s final.
The Raheny Shamrocks athlete ran a blistering second half of the race to clock a time of 12.02 from lane eight, and in the process to edge out Bianca Borgella, the 2023 World Championships silver medallist. Kym Crosby of the United States came home in third.
Orla Comerford qualifies for the final of the T13 100m in style, winning her heat in 12.02 seconds to finish third-fastest of those to reach the final. #RTEparalympics #Paris2024
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 3, 2024
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Tonight’s final takes place at 7.13pm at the Stade de France. Comerford faces strong competition in the form of Brazil’s Rayane Soares da Silva and Lamiya Valiyeva of Azerbaijan.
Valiyeva clocked a personal best of 11.81 in heat one, while Valiyeva ran 11.90. Comerford, 26, will be aiming to surpass her personal best of 11.90, that she set during the National Championships in July, as she chases gold.
Speaking after the race, Comerford said: “I’m happy with that, that was the aim of the morning to be decisive in the heat, win it, so I’m glad to have done that and be safely through to later. I’ll go back now, rest up, get a bit of food and come back and hopefully do much the same.
“I was feeling really confident coming into today’s race, really comfortable and really excited. This whole experience has been amazing. Tokyo was obviously really tough for me and it’s not till you get to Paris that you look back and think how weird that was.
“But even on a wet morning like this with not a full stand, I got such loud support which makes me really excited for later. The support has been overwhelming and I feel very lucky.”
Wow. That’s brilliant. Well done Ciara.
Amazing run by Ciara. She looked so comfortable and when that gap opened there was no other winner. Sonia esque.
What confidence that will bring her for Paris.
Brilliant run. Well done Ciara you are unstoppable.
That was one of the greatest Irish runs of all time. No nonsense. Burst by people. Took no prisoners. Epic. Over the moon
Fabulous interview from Ciara.
Brilliant athlete, congrats to Ciara, fantastic run and well done to Sarah Healy too.
Ciara you are not just a brilliant runner, you are a lovely person. So delighted for you.
Congratulations Ciara, incredible run and a richly deserved European Gold, you are just fantastic.
Bloody Brilliant! Loved the interview afterwards.
Absolutely brilliant from Ceara, and spoke so well after the race. What a role model for the young people of Ireland. 2 gold medals so far and a huge opportunity tomorrow for more!
Mná na hÉireann ar fheabhas ar fad i sna cluichí go dtí seo, agus seans go mbeidh bonn nó dhó eile againn amárach! Dochreidte!
@Pádraig Ó Cathasaigh: thaispeáin sí díograis agus crógacht. Chomh bródúil asti
@An tEoghanach: is maith liom uathar reoite.
@Ray Ridge: Anabaì, ní raibh tú in ann an focal a litriú i gceart fiú.
Amazing run so happy for u and u family
Was there a more deserving athlete of success as Ciara after all the sacrifice and dissapointment over her long career…sometimes the most deserving do have the success they deserve….and such an zlrish Girl too
Congratulations Ciara fantastic run!! Irish athletics looking strong going into the Olympics. Great to see
Well done Ciara, you have done your country proud!! Brilliant victory!!
What an awful loss to Camóige ..:)