Mel and Jody doing us proud

It was a top performance from Jody Cundy at the velodrome in Beijing today – a track that has seen a bucket load of success for Team GB (live the brand).

I spoke to Jody in Manchester before he left for China, he is from Wisbech after all, to ask him about his hopes for his first Paralympics on the track – but it wasn’t as if he didn’t know what to expect. The man has already been top of the pops in the pool as well.

But his transition from water to wood has been astonishingly successful, and with a gold medal and new 1km world record under his belt, it continues to be – and he still has the team sprint to come.

Mind you, it must be pretty handy having your training sessions alongside Chris Hoy and his ridiculously massive thighs.

The other local Paralympian I’m keeping an eye out for is Mel Clarke – now there is someone who uses archery to rule her world.

She has been through an unbelievable amount during her life, some of which as a result of her archery travels, yet when you meet her she wouldn’t blink an eye over any of those things – until the subject of bows and arrows arrives.

She was solid in the first round ranking session, used to determine the line-up for the knock-out stages, and was ranked fourth going into her quarter-final.

She will face fellow Pippa Britton – aptly, from Britain. Go Mel, go…

posted on 09 September 2008 15:45 byMichael Bailey - Sportsdesk

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