In a landmark moment at the Paralympic Games, Jodie Grinham became the first openly pregnant woman to win a Paralympic medal in archery. Grinham secured a bronze medal in a thrilling shoot-off against her fellow Briton and close friend, Phoebe Paterson Pine, under the backdrop of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
The individual compound open match was a nail-biter, with Paterson Pine, who previously won gold in Tokyo, leading until the final round. In a high-pressure moment, she needed to hit a 10 on her final arrow to win or a nine to force a shoot-off. However, nerves got the best of her, and she scored an eight, leaving the door open for Grinham to seize the bronze.
Overcome with emotion, Grinham bent over in shock before embracing Paterson Pine, a friend she has trained with since 2014. Reflecting on the intense match, Grinham shared, “I knew I needed a 10 to put any pressure on her. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, and it sucks when it’s a teammate, but we both know that’s sport.”
Grinham’s achievement is all the more remarkable considering she is seven months pregnant. The pregnancy has required her to make several adjustments, including modifying how she holds her bow and wearing flat shoes for stability. Despite these challenges, Grinham’s focus remained unwavering, even as her baby’s movements added an extra layer of distraction during the competition.
Concerned about the potential impact of her baby’s kicks on her performance, Grinham and her coach spent considerable time preparing for this scenario. “It was really starting to worry me that the baby was going to move when I was at full draw,” Grinham explained. “But we practiced, and I learned to manage it. Even during the matches, I acknowledged it, telling the baby, ‘Mummy loves you, I’ll cuddle you in a minute,’ before continuing my process.”
Grinham’s determination to compete at an elite level during late pregnancy is a testament to her resilience. At the same stage in her previous pregnancy with her son Christian, she went into premature labor. However, this time, Grinham ensured that she was close to medical facilities, with Les Invalides just eight minutes from the nearest hospital. She underwent frequent hospital checks throughout the week, but her efforts paid off, allowing her to break new ground for women in sports.
“There is no stigma,” Grinham stated. “The stereotype of what’s possible is irrelevant. If you feel you can do it and the doctor says it’s fine, then go for it.”
Archery has been part of the Paralympics since the inaugural games in Rome in 1960, but few events have had a more picturesque setting than the Esplanades des Invalides. The arena, with the Eiffel Tower on one side and the golden dome of the Hotel des Invalides on the other, provided a stunning backdrop for the competition.
The event also saw some unexpected early exits, with India’s armless archer Sheetal Devi, who has gained a massive following on Instagram, falling in the elimination round. France’s Julie Rigault Chupin was also knocked out in the quarter-final stage, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.
Grinham’s historic achievement in the archery Paralympics serves as an inspiring reminder of the limitless possibilities in sports, regardless of the challenges faced.