The Paralympic flame was reignited on August 28th at the Tuileries Garden in Paris, signaling the start of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The opening ceremony, filled with festive energy and a message of inclusion, saw French swimmer Florent Manaudou pass the Olympic torch to wheelchair tennis player Michaël Jeremiasz. The iconic song “Born To Be Alive” by Patrick Hernandez set the tone for the Games, highlighting the spirit of celebration and achievement.
France’s success at the Games was evident early on. Alexis Hanquinquant, a dominant force in para-triathlon since 2017, secured his second Paralympic gold medal on September 2nd. The French para-triathlon team continued its strong showing, with Jules Ribstein also winning a Paralympic title in the PTS2 category. The day saw two French athletes, Thibaut Rigaudeau and Antoine Pérel, take podium spots in the PTVI category.
Aurélie Aubert brought home a historic gold medal in boccia, a sport featured solely in the Paralympic Games. This victory was particularly sweet as it was the first for the French delegation in this discipline. Aubert, ranked sixteenth in the world, delivered an impressive performance, defeating the world number two from Singapore in a thrilling final. This accomplishment marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication for the Normandy-based champion.
On September 1st, the track saw world records being broken. Colombian sprinter Karen Tatiana Palomeque and American sprinter Jaydin Blackwell triumphed in the T38 100m finals, each setting a new world record. Blackwell shattered his own record with a time of 10.64 seconds, while Palomeque improved the previous record by 12 seconds. Both athletes, who have cerebral palsy, demonstrated incredible speed and determination, achieving times comparable to those of competitors in the Olympic Games.
The Portal brothers, Alex and Kylian, achieved a remarkable feat on August 31st by securing second and third place respectively on the same Paralympic podium. Kylian, the younger brother, even set a Paralympic record in the S12 category (though listed in the S13 category) in his first Paralympic final. While Alex was disappointed after being overtaken by the Belarusian halfway through, the brothers will undoubtedly cherish this memorable day at the Paris Défense Arena.
The first day of Paralympic competitions saw two new world records set in compound bow archery on August 30th at les Invalides. Sheetal Devi, an Indian para-athlete, set a new world record with a score of 703 out of 720. However, the record was quickly surpassed by Turkish archer Öznur Cüre , who scored 704 points. Devi impressed the audience with her unprecedented accuracy, using her feet and mouth to make precise shots, a testament to her incredible skill and determination. This performance allowed India to advance to the next stage of the competition in the lead, showcasing the power of resilience and adaptability.
Ugo Didier, often compared to Léon Marchand, claimed the first gold medal for France in the 400m freestyle S9 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The para-athlete, a favorite in the sport, thrilled the crowd at the Paris Défense Arena, completing the race in 4 minutes and 12 seconds. Didier will continue his quest for gold in other distances, competing in the 50m freestyle on Monday, the 100m backstroke on Tuesday, and the 200m individual medley on Thursday.
France achieved its first Paralympic success in track cycling on August 29th, with Marie Patouillet taking second place at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome. This marked Patouillet’s third time on a Paralympic podium, adding to her two bronze medals won in Tokyo. The 36-year-old athlete, also a Dior brand ambassador, expressed her hope that her success will inspire others and raise the profile of Paralympic sports in France.
The opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games was a grand spectacle held in the heart of Paris, celebrating this major sporting event. Similar to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, Thomas Jolly took on the challenge of welcoming athletes and spectators from around the world. The show unfolded on the iconic Place de la Concorde, featuring a grand parade of nearly 4,400 Paralympic athletes, including 240 French, along the Champs-Élysées. The evening was filled with performances by singers and dancers, including Chris (Christine and the Queens), Lucky Love, and many others. The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Olympic flame, symbolizing the spirit of unity, determination, and inspiration that defines the Paralympic Games.
