Canada’s Nate Riech sets Paralympic record and wins gold in 1,500m

Canada’s Nate Riech captured gold in the men’s 1,500m, running 3:58.92 to set the T38 Paralympic record, in his debut at the Games.

The Victoria, B.C., native pulled away from the field with two-and-a half laps to go, finishing ahead of Algeria’s Abdelkrim Krai by four seconds. Deon Kenzie of Australia was third in 4:03.76. It was a dominant performance by Riech, who adds the title of Paralympic champion to his resume. 

They are playing our song at the Paralympic Games.
The champ is here.#ExperienceGreatness #Paralympics #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/7miVseVeZr

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) September 4, 2021

Earlier this year, Riech set the world record in the 1,500m event of 3:47.89 at a meet in Victoria.  

Both @NateGraywolf & Liam Stanley break the Paralympic record in the men’s 1500m T38 but Nate ended up taking the title of Paralympic champion!? @AthleticsCanada pic.twitter.com/0RTvUJgZqM

— Canadian Paralympic Committee (@CDNParalympics) September 4, 2021

Fellow Canadian Liam Stanley, a T37 athlete, competed in the race with a higher degree of impairment than the rest of the athletes of the T38 classification.

Stanley finished fifth in 4:06.95, setting a Paralympic record for the T37 classification.