Dame Sarah Storey breaks her world record in women’s C5 qualifier…Paralympics Day 1 talking points

Dame Sarah Storey began her quest to become Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian by smashing her own world record in qualifying for the C5 3000m individual pursuit.

Defending champion Storey, who has 14 Paralympic gold medals – two fewer than swimmer Mike Kenny, emphasised her class by crossing the line in 3.27.057.

She will face compatriot Crystal Lane-Wright in the gold medal race later on Wednesday in a repeat of the Rio 2016 final.

Dame Sarah Storey began her quest to become Team GB’s most successful Paralympian by smashing her own world record

She will face compatriot Crystal Lane-Wright in the gold medal race later on Wednesday

Lane-Wright, who had to settle for silver in Brazil, finished in 3.35.061.

Storey was in dominant form from the off after being paired in the heats with New Zealand’s Nicole Murray.

The 43-year-old, who is set to defend her C5 time trial and C4-5 road race crowns next week, shaved four seconds off her previous record, while Murray faded from a promising start to finish fourth fastest, allowing Wright-Lane another shot at gold.

Murray faced French rider Marie Patouillet for the bronze medal but it was the latter who came out on top quite convincingly in the end.

Elsewhere, table tennis player David Wetherill has been deselected by Paralympics GB for the Tokyo Games following a breach of team rules.

Lane-Wright, who had to settle for silver in Brazil five years ago, finished in 3.35.061

The 31-year-old was set to appear at his fourth successive Paralympics having made his debut at Beijing 2008.

He had been due to compete in the Class 6 singles and Class 6-7 team event alongside Will Bayley and Paul Karabardak, who will continue in that competition as a pair.

‘Following a legal proceeding David Wetherill has been deselected from the ParalympicsGB team for Tokyo 2020 for breaching the British Para Table Tennis code of conduct,’ read a statement from ParalympicsGB.

‘In accordance with the terms of the arbitration process no further information will be provided.’

The GB table tennis team in Japan now consists of 11 players.

Meanwhile, a staff member with Great Britain’s wheelchair tennis squad is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

ParalympicsGB are working with Tokyo 2020 organisers and local authorities to identify close contacts.

French rider Marie Patouillet won the bronze medal after beating New Zealand’s Nicole Murray

The staff member tested negative on arrival in Japan and while at preparation camp but then returned a positive result during daily testing before arrival at the athletes’ village.

‘The health and welfare of the delegation is of utmost importance and the BPA (British Paralympic Association) are in constant contact with all those involved, led by our chief medical officer Dr Stuart Miller and mental health lead Dr Amanda Gatherer,’ read a ParalympicsGB statement.

Chef de mission Penny Briscoe added: ‘The health and welfare of all ParalympicsGB athletes and staff remains our number one priority and we are working hard to ensure all those involved receive the support they need.

‘All athletes and support staff are tested daily in line with the protocols established by the Japanese government, the International Paralympic Committee and Tokyo 2020 organisers and we fully respect and continue to adhere to this process, alongside the Covid-19 mitigation measures in place.’