Aussies net rowing gold, bronze after phone controversy

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Aussies net rowing gold, bronze after phone controversy

Nikki Ayers wants her victory alongside Jed Altschwager to be “a symbol of hope” after the duo won Australia’s first Paralympic rowing gold in the PR3 mixed double sculls.

Ayers and Altschwager kicked off Australia’s medal hunt on Sunday (local time) in the French capital, seeing off a challenge from Great Britain to win in a time of 7mins, 26 seconds.

Their success on the water at Vaires sur Marne was boosted further when Erik Horrie claimed bronze later in the session in the men’s PR1 single sculls.

Horrie initially finished fourth, but Italian rower Giacomo Perini was disqualified – he allegedly had a mobile phone in his boat during the race – to give the *********** a medal.

Ayers, who was a promising rugby union player before injury forced her to undergo a leg amputation, was in a world of pain after the race but said their hard work had paid off.

“It’s hurting right now, but it was totally worth it,” she said.

“It (the medal) is a symbol of hope and never giving up on your dreams.

“For every person out there with a disability, male, female, everyone, never give up and keep striving for your dreams and it’ll come true.”

Ayers and Altschwager’s gold added to last year’s world championship triumph and their success was quickly followed by Horrie’s fortunate bronze medal win.

The 44-year-old, whose bronze added to three silver Paralympic medals, said: “To be able to come away with a bronze is something that wasn’t expected.

“I’ve been very lucky and very honoured to receive what I have to date.

“Going out there and showing people, even though I’m one of the older ones in the field, age doesn’t really matter as long as you love the sport and you’re having fun, that’s a massive part.”

Elsewhere, sprinter Mali Lovell sealed a bronze in the women’s T36 200m.

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