On Thursday, track para-cyclist Caroline Groot secured the first gold of the Paralympic Games on a day when the Netherlands and China alternated victories and medals.

Groot was the last to compete and the anticipation was high. The Dutch rider became one of the favourites after the current C4 world record holder, Kadeena Cox, fell during her attempt. The British rider tried to rejoin the race after realising she had suffered no damage, but the officials did not allow her to restart as her fall was not due to a mechanical fault but a personal error. This cleared the way for Groot to take gold.

Groot won with a time of 35.390 seconds, setting a world record in the C5 category. The local crowd celebrated the first medal of these Paralympics: Marie Patouillet (C5) won silver. Patouillet, who was a torchbearer as the Olympic flame approached Paris, lived up to expectations as one of the top medal contenders. Bronze went to Canadian Kate O'Brien (C4).

The 26-year-old Groot won with a time of 35.566 seconds. This was just over the new world record she had set in the morning qualification (35.390 seconds). She continued to set an unbeatable pace for her rivals. "I am very happy and satisfied with my performance. Winning a gold medal is what counts," said Groot.

The first day at the National Velodrome of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines was exciting. The gold medals were shared between the Netherlands and China with two each. The team of Tristan Bangma and his pilot Patrick Bos won the men's 4000m B individual pursuit, adding another gold to Groot's win.

Amidst the Dutch success, China matched the Dutch double gold when Li Zhangyu won the men's C1 3000m individual pursuit. Wang Xiaomei made headlines by breaking the world record twice in one day on her way to gold in the women's C1-3 3000m individual pursuit. Her new world record time of 3:41.692 beat the 3:44.660 she set earlier in the morning. A double success for China.