 "American women sweep in triathlon's Paralympic debut")
Before racing in the women's Paralympic triathlon, US athletes Allysa Seely, Hailey Danisewicz and Melissa Stockwell talked about it being the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
They had hopes of hearing the US national anthem from the podium. They all did, after sweeping the medals in the PT2 class in triathlon's Paralympic debut.
Grace Norman also won gold in the women's PT4 class.
"It's a great day for America," said Danisewicz, who won silver, finishing 48 seconds behind Seely's winning time of one hour, 22 minutes and 55 seconds.
"On some very, very small level, it proves that Americans have a really great spirit and that whatever setbacks, challenges, obstacles come our way, (we) can rise from the fire."
Stockwell lost her leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, becoming the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat. On Sunday, she finished third in 1:25:24.
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"When it got really tough out there I thought of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and didn't make it back," Stockwell said. "They pushed me to the finish -- just wanting to give my thanks to them."
Seely and Danisewicz, both first-time Paralympians, greeted Stockwell at the finish line, waving an American flag as the teammates collapsed into an embrace.
Stockwell, a three-time paratriathlon world champion considered a favorite to win this event, had no complaints about her bronze performance. She competed in swimming in the 2008 Paralympics but did not medal.
"Everything was worth it," she said Sunday, draped with an American flag. "I would not go back for one second, for one minute. This is the culmination of everything.