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

As the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower, Jodie Grinham made history by becoming the first openly pregnant woman to win a Paralympic medal, securing bronze in a shoot-off against her close friend Phoebe Paterson Pine.

The match was an exciting individual compound open event. Paterson Pine, who won gold in Tokyo, initially took a slight lead and maintained it into the final end. Needing a 10 to win, she shot an eight, gasping as nerves got the better of her at a crucial moment.

Grinham, tall with a striking pink fringe and blue-tipped hair, was initially in shock before the two friends embraced. They have been training together since 2014.

“I knew I needed a 10 to put any pressure on her,” Grinham explained. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, and it’s tough when it’s a teammate, but we both know that’s sports.”

As a seven-month-pregnant athlete, Grinham made necessary adjustments, including using a low-slung quiver around her waist, which changed how she lifted and held the bow. She opted for flat shoes to maintain stability in a sport that demands unwavering concentration.

Adding to her challenges were the little kicks from her active baby. “The baby hasn’t stopped moving; it’s like they’re saying, ‘What are you doing?’ It’s an honor to feel that little support bubble in my belly,” she said.

Concerned that her baby's movements might affect her shots, Grinham worked closely with her coach to adapt to the changes in her body. During matches, she reassured her baby, saying, “Mummy loves you; I’ll cuddle you in a minute,” while focusing on her performance.

At this stage of her pregnancy, Grinham was reminded of the premature labor she experienced with her two-year-old son, Christian. Determined to prove that elite competition is possible even late in pregnancy, she took precautions, ensuring that a hospital was nearby and regularly checking in for medical assessments.

“There is no stigma,” she affirmed. “The stereotype is completely irrelevant. If you feel you can do it, it doesn’t matter. If your doctor says it’s fine, then go for it.”

Archery has been part of the Paralympics since the inaugural games in Rome in 1960, and the setting at the Esplanades des Invalides was breathtaking, with the Eiffel Tower looming on one side and the gilded dome of the Hotel des Invalides on the other.

Despite the excitement, two crowd favorites were eliminated early, much to the audience's dismay. Sheetal Devi, a 17-year-old Indian archer who uses her feet and teeth to shoot, was knocked out in the elimination round. French archer Julie Rigault Chupin was defeated in the quarter-finals, despite the crowd’s enthusiastic chants of “Faites du Bruit!” as her coach offered her consolation.