Paris 2024: Support in the stands the difference for Nicholson
British Para athlete claims debut Paralympic medal in front of friends, three years after ‘sterile’ Tokyo experience 06 Sep 2024
When British F35 shot putter Anna Nicholson made her Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo 2020, the world was a very different place. Thanks to Covid restrictions, there were no crowds – and no support from family and friends – as she finished fourth.
But people were cheering her on from afar, and they took the chance to make up for lost time on Thursday at the Stade de France. Not only did they get to see Nicholson compete at Paris 2024, but they also saw her finish on the podium, as she claimed her first Paralympic bronze medal.
Friends travel to Paris
Francesca Robertson is a close friend of the 29-year-old from their time in athletics clubs at Newcastle University, and she was excited to see Nicholson in action at much closer quarters than before.
“There is a group of us,” Robertson explained. “Me, Anna, and our mates Jenna and Katie as well. When she got to Tokyo, we were all super excited, but we obviously couldn't go.
“We went round to Jenna's, stayed up all night, watched her on the TV, paused it when she came on and took a big selfie. We sent it to Anna and said we were cheering her on. She loved it!”
There was a sense of anticipation in the air. Nicholson had been throwing well enough to win a medal as she built up to Paris, and Robertson was hopeful there would be a ceremony to attend. But terrible weather conditions were a factor going in.
“Since Tokyo, Anna’s added over a metre to her personal best, and if she threw that then she would get a medal. I just hope she throws well because she's been doing excellently. I'm hoping the rain won't put her off. But she's used to training in North-East England, so she’ll be fine.”
Medal dream realised
Nicholson made a nervy start with a no-throw first up, as the conditions worsened and didn’t let up. But then she came back with a 9.44m and ultimately secured bronze there and then. Ukraine’s Mariia Pomazan and China’s Jun Wang were well ahead with gold and silver, but Nicholson had achieved her aims.
“It feels amazing,” she said afterwards. “I can’t quite believe it. The hard work over the last 10 years since I started sport has just been totally worth it.”
Having only experienced the Games in a highly-sanitised environment, Nicholson relished having her support base behind her. As she came into Paris 2024, she knew a medal could be on the cards.
“Tokyo was a difficult time after Covid, with training being so disrupted. We’ve been on fire since then, training so hard. This year has been so good; PBs galore. We knew there was a chance of a medal.
“It is so lovely having family and friends here. Tokyo was a very different Games, with no crowds, so to have family and friends here is amazing. To see me win a medal, too... for them to make that effort makes it even more worth it.”
Special celebrations
Catching up again after the event, Robertson was overjoyed by Nicholson’s medal success, before heading off with her to celebrate.
“It was great to see her in action,” she said. “We were a bit nervy because it is so wet out there, you could see she was struggling to keep her balance at the start. Then she nailed the second one, once we saw the 9.44m, it was fantastic.
“Three centimetres off her PB in those conditions, you can’t ask for more than that. I’m delighted; I gave her a big hug! All her friends and family are heading to GB House for big celebrations.”
For all the medals, the records and the stories, it is the love and support for athletes which really defines the Paralympic Games. Following on from the cold, distant, clinical nature of Tokyo, those who travelled to Paris ensured it will never be taken for granted.
