New Zealand first on per capita medals table
New Zealand first on per capita medals table
12 September 2016
New Zealand is now at the top of world for medals per capita at the Rio Paralympics, after a swag of podium finishes over the weekend.
On a population basis, New Zealand’s nine medals puts us ahead of Slovenia in second place, and Jamaica in third place. New Zealand has the equivalent of 1.99 medals per million population.
New Zealand athletes have picked up four gold, three silver, and two bronze medals so far – halfway to the target. New Zealand is aiming to win a total of 18 medals, including 12 gold, according to Paralympics NZ.
On the gold medals per capita table, New Zealand comes in at third place, behind Fiji with one gold medal, and Jamaica with three.
On day four of the Games, New Zealanders Emma Foy and Laura Thompson (sighted pilot) won silver on the final day of racing at the Rio Velodrome in the women’s 3000m individual pursuit.
Earlier, Sophie Pascoe won gold in the women's 100m backstroke S10. Mary Fisher took gold in world-record time in the women’s 100m backstroke S11. Sophie Pascoe then went on to dominate the women's 200m individual medley SM10, taking gold and breaking her own world record.
In athletics, Liam Malone won silver in the men’s 100m final. Rory McSweeney won bronze in the men’s javelin.
New Zealand has 31 athletes at the Games, and hopes to retain the title of top medals per capita, achieved in London four years ago. Between them, the 2016 team has secured 23 world championships titles and 11 world records since 2012.
See Rio 2016 Paralympic Games: Medals per capita
Authorised by Liz MacPherson, Government
Statistician, 12 September 2016
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