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Paralympics: Jody Cundy wins second gold of Rio Paralympics with team sprint triumph
Great Britain's Jon-Allan Butterworth, Jody Cundy and Louis Rolfe (right) celebrate with their gold medals after winning the Mixed C1-5 750m Team Sprint Final during the fourth day of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire. - Credit: PA
Walpole St Andrew cycling star Jody Cundy won his second gold medal of the Rio Games – taking his overall Paralympic gold medal haul to a remarkable seven, with a world record ride.
The 37-year-old, who was born in Wisbech, won three golds as a swimmer before switching to cycling and winning kilo (LC 2) and team sprint gold at Beijing 2008.
Cundy’s hunger for success in Brazil was fuelled by a frustrating London 2012, when he had to settled for bronze in the 4km pursuit (C4) and made a name for himself after an angry outburst.
That followed a slip shortly after starting the 1km time trial (C4/5) due to a faulty starting gate, prompting a furious argument with officials about not being allowed a restart.
His disappointment at frustration on home soil can now be left in the past though, after winning the mixed C1-5 team sprint with Jon-Allan Butterworth and Louis Rolfe in Rio last night.
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That adds to the kilo (LC 2) gold already won on Friday night, leaving Cundy a very happy man.
“We enjoyed every second of it,” he said. “We have lots of friends and family up there – it doesn’t get any better than this.
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“I have such a had job chasing this guy (Butterworth). I have to get out of the saddle to keep up with him.”
Butterworth, who won three silvers in London, said: “I’d trade three silvers for one gold. I’m not being greedy – one gold is what I wanted.
“I get more satisfaction out of a team event because all three of us need a perfect ride. It was amazing.”
Rolfe, speaking on Channel Four, added: “The overriding emotion is just relief. I wanted to replicate what our Olympic counterparts did in the sprint and we did that.”
The trio clocked a winning time of 48.635 seconds to beat China by 1.279 secs and beat their own world record, which was set in qualifying.
