New world record for GB medallist

Aug 31 2012

Cyclist Mark Colbourne has wasted no time in building on his day one silver medal - by smashing a world record in the velodrome.

The flying Welshman set a Paralympic best during Friday morning's 3km pursuit qualifier, ahead of the final later.

The star, who broke his back in a horrific paraglider accident three years ago, was the first ParalympicsGB athlete to win a medal on Thursday. He continued his charge for titles as he powered home during his heat - and will be hoping for gold in the final.

His record feat came as the medal rush continued in the velodrome, with Aileen McGlynn and Helen Scott snaring silver medal in the women's blind and visually impaired time-trial, narrowly missing out on gold by just half a second.

It was the first time McGlynn has tasted Paralympic defeat in the event after the 39-year-old from Glasgow won gold in Athens and Beijing with Ellen Hunter as pilot.

Speaking after the win, she told of her fantastic support and praised the feverish atmosphere in the stadium, adding: "It's amazing, brilliant."

Britain's athletes were in seventh heaven on Thursday as they landed two golds, three silvers and two bronze medals.

Cyclist Sarah Storey and swimmer Jonathan Fox got the Games got off to a flying start by both netting gold. Former swimmer Storey, who was born with a partly-formed left hand, powered to victory to claim her eighth Paralympic gold of a glittering career, dominating the C5 three-kilometre individual pursuit final.

Fox, who has cerebral palsy, became Britain's first gold medallist in the pool when he won a thrilling S7 100 metres backstroke race.

UK Sport has set ParalympicsGB the minimum target of winning 103 medals from at least 12 different sports, with the overall goal of once again finishing second in the medal table. Britain won 102 medals, including 42 golds, in Beijing four years ago to claim second place for a third consecutive Paralympic Games.