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As the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower, Jodie Grinham made history by becoming the first openly pregnant woman to win a Paralympic medal, clinching bronze in a dramatic shoot-off against her close friend and fellow Briton, Phoebe Paterson Pine.
In a thrilling individual compound open match, Paterson Pine, who had won gold in Tokyo, held a narrow lead going into the final end. She needed a perfect 10 to secure the gold, a 9 to force a shoot-off, but her final arrow landed an 8, leading to audible gasps as nerves appeared to take their toll at a crucial moment.
Grinham, initially stunned, bent over in disbelief before embracing Paterson Pine. The two have been close friends since their teenage years and have trained together since 2014.
“I knew I needed a 10 to put any pressure on her,” Grinham said. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s tough when it’s against a teammate, but we both understand that’s the nature of the sport.”
Grinham, tall with a striking pink fringe and blue-tipped hair, has a precise aim for the center of the target. However, being seven months pregnant has required adjustments. She’s adapted by using a low-slung quiver around her middle and has modified her bow-lifting technique. Additionally, she wears flat shoes to maintain stability in a sport where focus is crucial.
Adding an extra challenge, Grinham had to contend with the frequent kicks of her increasingly active baby. “The baby hasn’t stopped moving—almost as if asking, ‘What are you doing?’ It’s been a real honor to feel that support bubble growing inside me,” she said.
“I was concerned that the baby’s movements might disrupt my shot while I was at full draw. My coach and I worked extensively on pregnancy-specific adjustments, helping me get used to the sensation of the bump. During matches, even when fully drawn, I’d acknowledge the baby, saying, ‘Mummy loves you, I’ll cuddle you soon,’ and then focus on my routine. Afterward, I’d gently stroke my belly, reassuring the baby amid the noise and heartbeat.”
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Archery has been a part of the Paralympics since the first games in Rome in 1960, but few settings could be as stunning as the Esplanades des Invalides. With the grey frame of the Eiffel Tower towering beside the arena, the gilded dome of the Hôtel des Invalides on the other side, neatly trimmed topiary trees in the garden, and the gleaming bronze winged horses of Pont Alexandre III overlooking from the north, the backdrop was truly breathtaking.
To the disappointment of the enthusiastic crowd, two favorites were eliminated early. Sheetal Devi, 17, from India, who uses her foot to lift and hold the bow and her teeth to draw the string, was knocked out in the elimination round. Despite having 312,000 Instagram followers, she couldn’t advance further. Julie Rigault Chupin of France also fell short, losing at the quarter-final stage despite the crowd’s spirited cheers of “Faites du Bruit!” After receiving a comforting back rub from her coach, she left the stadium to a roar of support.