Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham made a remarkable return to the Paralympic stage, competing seven months pregnant for the first time since Rio 2016. In her first event at the women’s individual compound open, she finished fourth with a personal best score of 693. Grinham later teamed up with Nathan MacQueen to secure second place in the mixed team compound open ranking round.
Grinham expressed satisfaction with her performance but acknowledged room for improvement, aiming to refine her skills during her day off before returning for the elimination round on Saturday. Earlier in the week, she had a minor scare when her baby stopped moving, prompting a hospital visit. Doctors reassured her of the baby’s health, but advised her to prioritize rest post-competition.
Beyond personal achievements, Grinham aims to inspire others by showing that women can excel in both motherhood and athletics. Balancing her roles as a mother and athlete alongside her partner Christopher Greenan has been challenging yet fulfilling, emphasizing the importance of compartmentalizing family and work for quality time with her 2-year-old son, Christian.
Striving to repeat her success from Rio 2016, where she won a silver medal in the mixed team compound event, Grinham anticipates competing in the elimination round for women’s individual compound open on Saturday and the mixed quarterfinals on Monday. Her determination to prove that motherhood and athletic pursuits can coexist underscores her resilience and commitment to both facets of her life.
