By Gareth James
Olivia Breen plans on using her silver success at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris as the launchpad for her bid for Games glory next year.
The Welsh para ace produced a legal season’s best in the T38 long jump to complete the medal set at the worlds following gold in 2017 and bronze four years ago.
Now Breen is already looking for her return to the French capital next year for the Paralympic Games.
The 26-year-old, who is returning to competition after a slight ankle problem, said: “I’m just so happy it was a good competition – and consistent.
“I’m hungry for more, there’s a big jump there and I’m just so excited for next year. It was a bit hit and miss about how the ankle was going to handle things.”
A day to remember 🔥@HanCockroft, @AdeneganK and @fabs_andre completed a T34 100m clean sweep, while @BreenOlivia won silver in the T38 long jump 👏#PARIS2023 | #WhereItStarts
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) July 13, 2023
Breen, who finished sixth in the 100m, added: “I didn’t use the blocks in the 100m because I wanted to save for the long jump as that’s my main event.
“I’m just really happy that it stayed in one piece. Now my plan is to rehab and get ready for next year.”
Breen placed second after a first-round effort of 4.62m, eventual winner Luca Ekler of Hungary opening up with a 5.77m that would be the winning distance.
Despite Ekler’s leap, Breen improved to 4.95m second time out before a 4.77m third and 4.71 fourth.
Breen broke the five-metre barrier in impressive style in the fifth round, leaping out to 5.04m before a foul in the sixth and final round.
“It’s really special as it’s my first silver medal in the long jump, so I’m really ecstatic,” Breen added..
It was the third medal by a Welsh athlete in Paris following golds from Sabrina Fortune in the F20 shot put and Hollie Arnold in the F46 javelin.
The Great Britain and Northern Ireland medallists:
GOLD: [5] Gavin Drysdale [Men’s T72 100m], Jonathan Broom-Edwards [Men’s T64 high jump], Sabrina Fortune [Women’s F20 shot put], Hollie Arnold [Women’s F46 javelin], Hannah Cockroft [Women’s T34 100m]
SILVER: [4] Rafi Solaiman [Men’s T72 100m], Sammi Kinghorn [Women’s T53 800m], Kare Adenegan [Women’s T34 100m], Olivia Breen [Women’s T38 long jump]
BRONZE: [5] Zac Shaw [Men’s T12 100m], Danny Sidbury [Men’s T54 5000m], Maria Lyle [Women’s T35 200m], Sophie Hahn [Women’s T38 100m], Fabienne André [Women’s T34 100m]