Oznur Cure Girdi crowns a dream performance with archery Paralympics gold

As the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower, Jodie Grinham etched her name in history, likely becoming the first openly pregnant woman to win a Paralympic medal. Grinham secured a bronze after an intense shoot-off against her fellow Briton and close friend, Phoebe Paterson Pine.

archery Paralympics The individual compound open match was a nail-biter, with Paterson Pine, who had claimed gold in Tokyo, holding a narrow lead going into the final end. She needed a 10 on her final arrow to win, or a nine to force a shoot-off, but instead shot an eight, causing gasps from the crowd as nerves took hold at the crucial moment.

Grinham, visibly stunned, bent over in disbelief before sharing a hug with Paterson Pine. The two have been close friends since their teenage years, training together since 2014.

“I knew I needed a 10 to put any pressure on her,” Grinham said. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, and it sucks when it’s a teammate, but we both know that’s sport.”

Standing tall with her signature shocking pink fringe and long blue-tipped hair, Grinham has an uncanny ability to find the center of a target. However, being seven months pregnant meant she had to make adjustments, including wearing a low-slung quiver and changing how she lifted and held her bow. Flat shoes helped keep her stable in a sport where concentration is paramount.

Adding to the challenge, Grinham had to manage the frequent kicks of her increasingly active baby. “The baby hasn’t stopped moving,” she shared. “It’s been an honor knowing the baby is there and having that little support bubble in my belly.”

Grinham admitted she was concerned that the baby might move while she was at full draw, potentially affecting her shot. However, she and her coach spent considerable time preparing for such moments, with Grinham learning to stay focused despite the baby’s movements. During matches, she would acknowledge her baby, mentally reassuring it before returning to her routine. “Then I gave him a little stroke afterward and said it’s all fine—I know it’s a lot of noise, a lot of heartbeat.”

At seven months pregnant, Grinham was at the same stage of pregnancy when she went into premature labor with her now two-year-old son, Christian. Despite this, she was determined to prove that it is possible to compete at an elite level while pregnant. She took precautions, ensuring that Les Invalides was close to the nearest hospital, and spent the last week undergoing regular medical checks. But for Grinham, it was all worth it to break new ground.

“There is no stigma,” she asserted. “The stereotype is completely irrelevant. If you feel you can do it, it doesn’t matter. If the doctor says it’s fine, then go and do it.”

archery Paralympics has been a part of the Paralympics since the first Games in Rome in 1960. But few venues could compare to the beauty of the Esplanades des Invalides, with the Eiffel Tower rising to one side, the golden dome of the Hôtel des Invalides on another, and the meticulously manicured trees and gardens creating a picture-perfect setting.

The enthusiastic crowd was disappointed early on when two fan favorites were eliminated. Sheetal Devi, a 17-year-old armless archer from India with over 312,000 Instagram followers, was knocked out in the elimination round. Julie Rigault Chupin of France also exited at the quarter-final stage despite the crowd’s energetic cheers to “Faites du Bruit!” After a comforting back rub from her coach, she left the stadium to a rousing ovation.