Paralympic Shorts: More disappointment for Jody Cundy –but this time he takes it on the chin
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Spare a thought for cyclist Jody Cundy. Just a couple of days after his bitter disqualification from the 1km time trial – which he dealt with by exploding with rage – he adopted a philosophical attitude to the disappointment of being left out of the final of the team sprint.
"Well my Paralympics are over, as I'm not needed for the final of the team sprint, an amazing games filled with masses of disappointment," the 33-year-old wrote on his Twitter account.
"Obviously London wasn't my place to shine brightest, but I'll be back, and I feel sorry for anyone who'll have to race me from now on."
He added: "Actually with no world track championships next year, have no idea when I'll get to race again."
Channel 4 gains record viewing figures
It's not just athletics records that have been tumbling. Channel 4 has seen its viewing records smashed, leading executives to clear the day-time schedules this week so it can show the games in full from 7am to 11.15pm.
The decision comes after 2.9 million viewers tuned in on Saturday to see 17-year-old swimmer Ellie Simmonds win her gold, helping the channel to its highest all-day Saturday share for seven years. It was also a 113 per cent improvement on the channel's Saturday average viewing numbers.
The opening ceremony saw a peak of 11.2 million – the channel's best-ever figure – and there has been a peak of more than 3.3 million viewers for the first three days of live sport.
Ellie drowns in tears of joy
There wasn't a dry eye in the Aquatics Centre when Ellie Simmonds won her swimming gold in a world record on Saturday. Least of all Ellie's. Her father revealed that such was the "shock and surprise" his daughter felt in the aftermath of her victory that the only way she could stop herself from "losing it" was to dunk her head back in the water. "You could see her look up at the time, a big smile come up on her face and she started to lose it," he said.
"She stuck her head in the water trying to stop herself from crying because she gets so embarrassed about it. It just makes me smile and laugh when I see her doing it. The reaction to her win was pure relief. The tension and pressure over the last months all came out."
Quote of the day
"Congratulations to @tomaggar 4th is such a tough place to come (believe me I know!!) but you have inspired a nation and we are all so proud!" Keri-Anne Payne, writing on Twitter, the TeamGB open water swimmer who finished fourth at the Olympics last month.
Minister's a good sport
Australian Sports Minister Kate Lundy rowed in a Team GB kit after losing a bet with UK counterpart Hugh Robertson that Australia would win more golds than Britain.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments