With the most gold medals after one day of competition, the US team has come out strong. "This was a fantastic opening day for us and a great showing from the experienced Paralympians and the rookies. The difference from four years ago is impressive," said Julie O'Neil, head coach, US Paralympic Swimming Team. "Nine medals is a great start towards our team goal."
Popovich
"I was just trying to break three minutes and I smashed it. I saw people catching me in the backstroke and I just really turned it on. When you're at home it's one thing, but when you're away representing your country on the stage, it's indescribable. I'm so proud."
Garcia-Tolson
"I was confident going into the finals. I got my best time and am happy with that. It has been a great experience. It has been amazing to be a part of Team USA and to be in Beijing."
Uhl
"I just saw how far ahead [the other swimmers] were after the breaststroke and gave it my all. I was so nervous, had so many thoughts going through my head - doubt, everything - and just locked it out. This was my first race. I'm so excited about it. It's an amazing start to the meet."
Long
"It's unbelievable. All the work I've been doing has paid off. I'm really happy to start off the meet this way and I'm just going to take every moment in. I haven't seen my family yet so I'm excited to share it with them."
Perkins
"I'm pretty good at closing the deal so I guess I did that tonight. I have been thinking about this moment for a long time and it was a very tough race. I got myself a medal and that's what I came here to do."
Also contributing to Team USA's medal count today were: Cheryl Angelelli-Kornoelje (Clinton Township, Mich.) - silver medal in women's 100m Freestyle (S4), 1:50.25; Amanda Everlove (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - silver medal in women's 100m Butterfly (S8), 1:12.16; Aimee Bruder (Birmingham, Ala.)- bronze medal in women's 100m Freestyle (S4), 1:55.33; Cortney Jordan (Henderson, Nev.) - bronze medal in women's 200m IM (SM7), 3:07.96; and Roy Perkins (Del Mar, Calif.) - bronze medal in men's 100m Freestyle (S5), 1:15.31.
Angelelli-Kornoelje
"For the U.S. to go 2/3 in our event is great. I definitely worked to better my time and exceeded expectations with a lifetime best. I feel good walking away and knowing it was my best time. Dara Torres is a huge inspiration - we're both in our 40s and both the co-captains of the women's teams... she also got two silvers in her events."
Bruder
"It's good to be here and do it [get on the medal stand] with a teammate. We're a team and that definitely showed through tonight. I hope there's more to come for the rest of the team."
Everlove
"I wanted to do the same as I did today, but I did the best I could. It's more than I expected going into this."
Team USA Results
- WOMEN'S 100M BUTTERFLY - S13
6th - BECHERER Kelley 1:08.38 - MEN'S 100M FREESTYLE - S3
7th - DEMARCO Michael 2:07.72 - MEN'S 100M FREESTYLE - S4
7th - McCARTHY Joe 1:34.37 - WOMEN'S 100M FREESTYLE - S4
SILVER - ANGELELLI Cheryl 1:50.25
BRONZE - BRUDER Aimee 1:55.33 - MEN'S 100M FREESTYLE - S5
BRONZE - PERKINS Roy 1:15.31 - WOMEN'S 200M IND MEDLEY - SM6
GOLD - UHL Miranda 3:13.05 (WR) - MEN'S 200M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY - SM7
GOLD - GARCIA TOLSON Rudy 2:35.92 (WR) - WOMEN'S 200M IND MEDLEY - SM7
GOLD - POPOVICH Erin 2:54.61 (WR)
BRONZE - JORDAN Cortney 3:07.96
7th - GRUEN Deborah 3:27.48 - WOMEN'S 100M BUTTERFLY - S8
GOLD - LONG Jessica 1:11.96
SILVER - EVERLOVE Amanda 1:12.16 - MEN'S 100M BUTTERFLY - S9
6th - BUREAU Cody 1:02.21
8th - BARR Mark 1:03.91
PR = Paralympics Games Record
