Lead report by Joshua Murray for ParalympicsGB and Aquatics GB; followed by reports from Swimming Australia and Swimming Canada, with thanks.

Faye Rogers and Callie-Ann Warrington served up a stunning gold and silver butterfly double for ParalympicsGB to bring the curtain down on day six at the pool - both reaching a Paralympic podium for the first time.

Lining up alongside each other in the centre lanes after impressive heat showings, the GB teammates put together contrasting races on the way to a thrilling finish and an outstanding British one-two in the Women's S10 100m Butterfly.

Callie-Ann took things out fast from the start, reaching the halfway wall in first place, just more than half-a-second ahead of Faye, whose pace was showing by that stage and whose brilliantly-executed turn brought the compatriots level heading into the final 40m.

It was at that stage that they dropped Canada's Katie Cosgriffe and Jasmine Greenwood of Australia to turn it into a straight British shootout for the gold - and Faye's superior finishing speed over the final 25m just saw her to the wall first, to cap her first Paralympic final with a memorable gold, while Callie-Ann's new personal best of 1:06.41 saw her finish half-a-second back for silver.

Rogers, whose move into Paralympic swimming came after injuries suffered in a car accident in 2021, said:

"My back-end is always the strongest part of my race. I was quite confident at the turn because my thought process was that if I was with everyone at the turn, we're good. But I could see Callie fighting all the way down the last length and I was like, 'just keep moving!' We smashed it, I'm so proud of her too. It's exactly three years this week since my accident, it's a bit emotional actually and a full-circle moment. But I couldn't be prouder and I couldn't have asked for more from the last three years.

"Coming into para-sport brand new, it has just been the best environment and the best team, and I've made some of the best friends. I couldn't be more grateful for this journey, I've learned so much about myself and I couldn't have imagined this ever happening. It's crazy, it's so cool.

"I've started getting some messages off other people who've been in similar situations, and it makes me really proud and grateful that my experience is helping other people. There are so many people that could benefit from para-sport, it's just amazing."

Faye Rogers in action, photos courtesy of Scottish Swimming:

Like Rogers, Warrington's taste of a Paralympic podium was her first ever - and she took great value from doing so alongside her friend and teammate.

"I had a chat with the coaches after the heats and they were happy with the pace I went out on, they just said 'you need to come back a bit quicker'. I delivered that and a personal best. It's brilliant, and then to be able to race this final with Faye, it means everything," she said.

"Whatever order it was going to be, we didn't mind - but it's just so nice to have a fellow British swimmer next to me, pushing each other on, it's so nice to have. I came here to do a job and I've done that job."

The bronze went to Katie Cosgriffe, writes Swimming Canada. The Burlington. Ont., swimmer outbattled Australia’s Jasmine Greenwood to finish third in the 100-m S10 butterfly Tuesday in Paris. She touched the wall in 1:07.22, just .13 ahead of the Australian. 
 
“I’ve had this in my mind for a while,” said the 18-year-old. “I knew this was always a possibility, but I didn’t see it actually happening. The fact now it’s real, I’m really happy how it went.
 
“I’m not overly (happy) with my time but I can’t complain about that because I won a medal.”
 
The last 18 months have been a whirlwind for Cosgriffe. She received her international classification in April 2023 and competed at the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships where she had a fourth- and a fifth-place finishes.
 
“My dreams in sport shifted pretty quick,” said Cosgriffe, who was diagnosed in 2021 with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which causes sensations, and loss of normal functions, in the feet, arms, hands and legs.
 
“It was pretty sudden for me to find out I could go to the Paralympics. My goal has been on this race. Now that I’m actually here it’s surreal.”
 
In the seconds before the race began a loud “let’s go Katie” could be heard at the Paris La Défense Arena.
 
“It was my dad,” said Cosgriffe, who trains with coach Dave Tontini at the Oakville Aquatic Club. “I always hear him regardless of where he is and where I am. I’m really grateful to have his support here.”

Josh Murray of Aquatics GB takes up the Brit story once more...

Kickstarting the sixth night of finals was Tully Kearney, who rounded out her hugely successful second Paralympic appearance by finishing fifth in the Women's S5 50m Backstroke.

A freestyle specialist, Tully was in stunning form to claim both S5 100m and 200m Freestyle titles earlier in the week, before closing the meet out with a "fun event" - although it was still a serious performance from the 27-year-old, who finished at pace to place fifth, only a second off the podium.

"It's been a fun event. It's not often you get to do an event with no pressure on you, the aim was just to go out and enjoy the backstroke and try to add it in for future years," she said afterwards."

Eliza Humphrey set a new personal best on her way to seventh in the Women's SM11 200m Individual Medley, with sister Scarlett Humphrey placing sixth in the lane next to her.

For the second time this Games, the twins from Northampton Swimming Club lined up alongside each other in a Paralympic final, with both putting four consistent laps of medley swimming together to drop time from their morning heats' efforts.

Scarlett was third after a brilliant opening 50m of butterfly before dropping back to fifth at halfway and then sixth at the end, while Eliza's pacing saw her clock a 2:59.51, dipping inside the three-minute mark for the first time in her career to touch seventh and cap another memorable moment in the Paralympic arena. Said Eliza:

"It was nice, that felt good as well. We had some things we wanted to work on from the heats, I worked on them and it obviously worked, so I got under three minutes which is something I've been aiming to do for a while. To do that here was quite nice!

"Missing out on the World Championships in Manchester last year was a bit gutting because I was watching everyone race and thinking, 'ooh, I want to be back there again!' So I worked really hard in the lead-up to the Paralympic trials and then to make the team was really nice, and then to finally race here is a dream come true. It's great to be back on the world stage and racing world-class athletes as well.

"The crowds have been amazing. Having friends and family in the crowd is really nice, some people who've never watched us race in person have come across so that's been really nice to promote para-swimming. Also, the crowd is supporting every athlete, whether I know them or not, the crowds are doing amazing cheering and supporting everyone, no matter which country, and that has been really special."

Twenty-four hours on from winning her maiden Paralympic title in the S3 50m Backstroke, Ellie Challis was back in the La Defense Arena cauldron as she contested the S3 100m Freestyle final.

A remarkably consistent stroke rate across the two laps of racing saw Challis claw back nearly six seconds on eventual bronze medallist Rachael Watson of Australia over the back 50m to push and touch for fourth, replicating her placing in this event from Tokyo three years ago - but eight seconds faster than her swim in 2021 to cap a memorable Games this time around. Said Challis:

"I definitely wanted faster and I wanted a bit more from myself tonight, but tonight wasn't my night and that's okay. After yesterday, I really can't ask for anything more. My dreams came true yesterday, today was just about having fun - and I have loved every race I've had here. I've had the best time, fourth isn't easy, but when you know you've enjoyed it all and you've done the best you can, I can come away from this competition very happy. Me and Louise [Fiddes] were buzzing all night, it took me ages to get to sleep! I don't think I believe it yet, it's not believable, but it's great."

Earlier in the day, Grace Harvey - another of this GB team to claim her first Paralympic gold in Paris - just missed out on the final of the Women's S6 50m Butterfly after placing ninth in the heats to round out her meet programme.

Reflecting on her passion for swimming that carried her to this successful Games performance, Grace said: "I love this sport, it has given me so much joy, so many friends, so many opportunities. If it wasn't for para-swimming, I don't know who I would be as an individual, it has really shaped me as a person. To have this opportunity to come out here and race, to represent Great Britain, it is amazing.

"But we can't do it without The National Lottery players, and it is so amazing that their faith makes this all possible, because without them, none of us athletes would be able to come out here and realise our dreams. We really couldn't do this without all those National Lottery players at home, this is as much their win as it is for us. Even my Grandma, when she goes out and buys her weekly Lottery ticket, she's funding all these amazing causes and we're so thankful to everyone."

Two bronze medals, tears and birthday cheers for Dolphins

From Swimming Australia

Two bronze medals, tears and birthday cheers on Day 6 of finals at La Defense Arena.

As far as birthday presents go, it seemed only fitting for Rachael Watson – Australia’s first Paralympic medallist in the women’s S3 100m free – to promptly give a shout out to  living treasure Dawn Fraser, who celebrates her 86th birthday today.

Poolside after winning the bronze, Watson – who has been casually mentored by arguably Australia’s greatest swimmer, Fraser since 2016 – said: “I’m so proud of myself … thank you (to everyone) for all the support … and happy birthday Dawn (Fraser) a mentor of mine.”

The 32-year-old had won back-to-back golds as an S4 in Rio and Tokyo but was reclassified as an S3 after the World Championships last year.

This morning AEST, the triplet was in in the mix for gold until just before the first turn, eventually finishing behind American world record holder Leanne Smith, whose 1:28.81 was a Paralympic record with Spain’s Marta Fernandez Infante claiming silver (1:30.04).

While Watson was beaming, butterfly bronze medallist Alex Saffy was overcome with gratitude on the pool deck after his performance.

The 18-year-old from Western Australia held off fellow Dolphin Col Pearse to claim a podium finish in a PB and Oceania Record time of 56.61 while Italy’s Stefano Raimondi won gold (55.02) and Ukraine’s Ihor Nimchenko the bronze (55.21). Pearse finished fourth in 57.24.

In tears, Saffy said to Channel 9: “It's crazy. I'm very happy right now.”

"It's just a lot of emotions, you know, it's been like three years of work leading, leading up to one night. I left my hometown in WA to south of Perth. Moved over to Canberra. I didn't know anyone. I'd just turned 16. I left my family and like barely get to see them. It was just a lot of sacrifices. And I'm just glad my family's here because I love them a lot."

In the men’s 100m backstroke S9 final, Tim Hodge – backing up from his relay gold in the mixed medley relay yesterday – was just 0.41 seconds away from the third spot after swimming a 1:02.52 as neutral athlete Yahor Shchalkanau won gold (1:00.76), France’s Ugo Didier silver (1:01.48) and neutral athlete Bogdan Mozgovoi bronze (1:01.93).

Hodge said: “Something that my mum said to me was, you want to stand out for the right reasons, and having an impairment or a limb difference or any kind of physical or mental difference at all, is something that should be, I guess, celebrated, like it's all a part of life.”

“For me, it's putting flames on my leg, for someone else that might be having an interesting hair colour or a cool looking arm or anything. It's always good to stand out for the right reasons. And it helps with yourself-confidence and, even competing at these events, having 17,000 people cheer for you when you're missing a leg and part of a hand and things like that, it makes everything else kind of melt away and gives you a realisation that it's a physical difference, but it's not a difference as a person. (And) it can be used to give yourself a little bit of a push. Just think if they can do it, so can I.”

In the women’s 100m butterfly S10, Jasmine Greenwood and Poppy Wilson finished fourth and fifth respectively in 1:07.35 and 1:07.52 with Tokyo silver medallist Wilson punching out a PB.

For full results, see here.

What do the classifications mean?

• S1-S10 for athletes with physical impairments.
• S11-S13 for athletes with visual impairments.
• S14 for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Classifications explained here.

Winning a bronze medal surreal for Katie Cosgriffe

From Swimming Canada

Beyond Cosgriffe's bronze, two other Canadian teenagers showed their Paralympic potential.
 
First 17-year-old Mary Jibb swam two personal bests to finish fifth in the 100-m S9 backstroke then Sebastian Massabie, 19, broke his Canadian record twice and was sixth in the 200-m S4 freestyle.
 
Jibb’s time of 1:12.33 in the 100 back shaved .59 off the personal best she posted to finish sixth in the morning preliminaries.
 
“I’m super happy with how I performed,” said Jibb, who is coached by Heather Lee at the Muskoka Aquatic Club. “Now I’m a Paralympian and that’s pretty cool to say.”
 
Jibb credited a good race plan for her solid result.
 
“We had to change up the race plan a bit from this morning, so I didn’t fatigue as much on the back end,” she said. “I think we executed that very well.”
 
Jibb is back in the pool Wednesday in the 100 freestyle.
 
Massabie broke his Canadian record in the morning preliminaries then sliced another three seconds off it in the final of the 200 freestyle. Massabie swam 3:02.28 to finish fourth in the preliminaries then was clocked in 2:59.15 in the final.
 
It was the fourth time the Surrey, B.C., native broke a Canadian record in Paris. He lowered his own national mark twice to finish fifth on the 100-freestyle Friday.
 
Jy Lawrence, who coaches Massabie at the Pacific Sea Wolves, said getting under the three-minute barrier in the 200 free was the goal.
 
“It’s a huge milestone,” said Lawrence. “It’s really a commitment from him on the effort and intensity. He’s done a really good job in training. This is just a reflection of the training.”
 
Massabie said he was happy with the result and is looking forward to Friday’s 50-m freestyle.
 
“I’m excited about that,” said Massabie, who holds the Canadian record of 38.03 seconds. “From what I can tell, I may have a chance at that one.”
 
Alexander Elliot of Kitchener, Ont., finished eighth in the 100-m S10 butterfly in 1:00.75. 
 
“I worked hard from the first stroke to the last stroke, but it just wasn’t there tonight,” he said.
 
The 28-year-old, who trains at Club de natation Région de Quebec with coach Marc-André Pelletier, has qualified for the 100 fly final in each of his three Paralympic appearances, placing fifth at Tokyo 2020 and fourth in Rio 2016.
 
“It’s one of my favourites to swim and I’m happy I made the final here and got to swim it again,” said Elliot.
 
Canadian Para swimmers have won six medals in Paris. 
 
Nicholas Bennett of Parksville, B.C, won gold in the 100-m SB14 breaststroke plus took silver and broke his own Canadian record in the S14 200-m freestyle.
 
Aurélie Rivard of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., has a silver in the S10 100-m freestyle and a bronze in the 50-m free. Tess Routliffe of Caledon, Ont., was second in the 200-m SM7 individual medley.
 
Both Bennett and Routliffe will be looking to add to their medal haul Wednesday.
 
Bennett swims the S14 200 IM, an event in which he holds the world record and is the reigning world champion. He could become the first Canadian man since Benoît Huot to win multiple gold medals at a Paralympics. 
 
Huot won five gold at the Athens 2004 Paralympics. He also was the last Canadian man to win three medals with a gold, silver and bronze in London 2012.
 
Routliffe, Shelby Newkirk of Saskatoon and Sabrina Duchesne of Saint-Augustin, Que., will race the 100-m S7 freestyle. Routliffe was third in the race at the 2023 Manchester Para Swimming World Championships and holds the Canadian record of 1:12.95.
 
Reid Maxwell of Edmonton and Phillipe Vachon of Blainville, Que., will compete in the S8 400-m freestyle. Maxwell holds the Canadian record of 4:28.20.
 
Abi Tripp of Kingston, Ont., will race in the S8 400-m freestyle, in which she set the Canadian record of 5:16.25 at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.