Tatyana McFadden led home an American clean sweep in the women's 5,000m T54 ©Getty Images

American Tatyana McFadden and Marlou van Rhijn of The Netherlands were expected to be two of the stars of athletics events at the Paralympic Games and both lived up to their billing on a day where Swiss wheelchair racing legend Marcel Hug's wait for an elusive gold medal came to an end at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

McFadden powered to her third gold medal of Rio 2016 - and sixth Paralympic crown overall - with victory in the women's 5,000m T54 as she led home a clean sweep for the United States in a time of 11min 54.07sec.

The 27-year-old, who had already bagged the 400m and 1,500m golds in the Brazilian city, crossed the line ahead of team-mates Chelsea McClammer and Amanda McGrory and her dominant performances at the Games shows little sign of slowing down.

Van Rhijn, already a four-time world champion at the age of 24, was one of her country's best hopes for gold and she didn't disappoint as she successfully defended her 200m T44 title by clocking a Paralympic record of 26.16sec.

Imgard Bensusan of Germany held on for silver, while Marie Amelie le Fur of France, winner of the 400m crown on the track and the long jump out in the field, took home bronze.

At the age of 30, Switzerland's Hug, a seven-time world champion, may have thought time was running out for him to taste gold medal success at the Paralympic Games having won two bronze at Athens 2004 and double silver at London 2012.

Switzerland's Marcel Hug finally got his hands on Paralympic gold with victory in the men's 800m T54 ©Getty Images
Switzerland's Marcel Hug finally got his hands on Paralympic gold with victory in the men's 800m T54 ©Getty Images

But the stage was set for him to bring his Paralympic heartbreak to a close today and he duly delivered as Hug raced to a long-awaited triumph in the men's 800m T54 in 1:33.76.

Saichon Konjen of Thailand finished behind the Swiss in silver medal position and Kim Gyu Dae of South Korea did enough for bronze.

Britain's David Weir, the six-time Paralympic champion who has endured many close battles with Hug over the years, could only manage a disappointing sixth.

"There was more pressure definitely, but also more motivation," said Hug. 

"I hope I can keep on winning. 

"I’m 30-years-old, it’s a good age and I’m very motivated to continue now with this gold in my bag.

"It was high pressure that I could make it. 

"Now I have two days to relax and enjoy my time before I focus again on the marathon.”

As has been the case throughout the Rio 2016 Paralympics, world records continued to fall as China's Wang Jun threw a colossal 13.91 metres to claim gold in the women's shot put F35.

Mariia Pomazan of the Ukraine, whose 13.59m effort was also further than the world record, earned silver, with bronze going to an emotional Marivana Oliveira of Brazil.

For a full breakdown of athletics results from day eight, visit our Live Blog here.