Jodie Grinham makes history by winning a Paralympic archery bronze medal while pregnant.

 

Jodie Grinham competed in the women's archery individual compound open while seven months pregnant. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Observer

• Grinham becomes the first pregnant woman to win a Paralympic medal
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• Defeating fellow Briton Phoebe Paterson Pine in a shoot-off
• As the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower, Jodie Grinham made history by becoming what is believed to be the first openly pregnant woman to win a Paralympic medal. She secured bronze in a dramatic shoot-off against her fellow Briton and close friend, Phoebe Paterson Pine.

• In a thrilling individual compound open match, Paterson Pine, who claimed gold in Tokyo, held a narrow lead heading into the final stages. She needed a 10 on her final arrow to win or a nine to force a one-arrow shoot-off. However, she shot an eight, eliciting gasps as nerves took hold at the critical moment.

• Grinham bent over in shock before embracing her longtime friend Phoebe Paterson Pine—the two have been close since their teenage years, training together since 2014.

• “I knew I needed a 10 to put any pressure on her,” Grinham said. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, and it’s tough when it’s a teammate, but we both know that’s just part of the sport.”

  Grinham, tall with a striking pink fringe and long hair dyed blue at the ends, has a keen eye for the center of a target. But being seven months pregnant has required some adjustments. She now uses a low-slung quiver around her waist, which means she’s had to modify how she lifts and holds the bow. She also wears flat shoes to maintain balance, a critical factor in a sport where concentration is everything.

  Adding to the challenge, Grinham has had to contend with the frequent kicks of her increasingly active baby. “The baby hasn’t stopped moving,” she said. “It’s like the baby is asking, ‘What are you doing?’ It’s been an honor knowing the baby is there, providing a little support bubble in my belly.”

  She admitted that she was initially concerned the baby might move at the wrong moment, potentially affecting her shot. But with her coach's help, they practiced adjusting to the baby’s movements during her draws. Even during matches, she would acknowledge the baby at full draw, saying, “Mummy loves you, I’ll cuddle you in a minute,” before refocusing on her process. Afterward, she would gently stroke her belly, reassuring her baby amidst the noise and excitement.

  At seven months pregnant, Grinham is now at the same point in her pregnancy as when she went into premature labor with her son Christian, who is now two. However, she was determined to prove that being an elite competitor while heavily pregnant is possible. She took precautions, ensuring that Les Invalides was within eight minutes of the nearest hospital, and spent the past week in and out of medical checks. For her, breaking boundaries was worth the effort.

  “There is no stigma,” Grinham emphasized. “The stereotype is completely irrelevant. If you feel you can do it, it doesn’t matter. If the doctor says it’s fine, then do it.” 

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• Archery has been a part of the Paralympics since the inaugural games in Rome in 1960, but few venues could rival the beauty of the Esplanades des Invalides. With the grey silhouette of the Eiffel Tower rising on one side, the gilded dome of the Hôtel des Invalides on another, perfectly aligned topiary trees in the gardens, and the gleaming bronze winged horses of Pont Alexandre III overlooking from the north, the setting was nothing short of breathtaking.

• The enthusiastic crowd faced early disappointments when two favorites were knocked out. India’s 17-year-old Sheetal Devi, the armless archer who captivates 312,000 Instagram followers with her remarkable technique of lifting and holding the bow with her foot and pulling the string with her teeth, was eliminated in the early rounds. France's Julie Rigault Chupin, despite the crowd's spirited chants of “Faites du Bruit!” (Make some noise!), was defeated in the quarter-finals. After a consoling back rub from her coach, she exited the stadium to the crowd’s supportive cheers.

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