The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris delivered exceptional performances, with athletes pushing the limits of human endurance, resilience, and spirit. Here are ten of the most remarkable moments from the Games.
Zakia Khudadadi (pictured above), an Afghan refugee and taekwondo athlete, made history by winning a bronze medal—the first ever for the Paralympic Refugee Team. Overwhelmed with emotion, Khudadadi dedicated her win to the women of Afghanistan and refugees around the world, calling for peace and hope.
Ali Truwit, an American swimmer who lost part of her leg to a shark attack while snorkeling in 2023, made an impressive return to the water. After three surgeries and an incredible recovery journey, the American swimmer claimed two silver medals and broke two national records in just 48 hours. “I love comeback stories,” she said, reflecting on her experience.
Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi of Morocco broke the women’s marathon world record for visually impaired athletes on the final day of the Games. She completed the race in 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 36 seconds, breaking the previous record by almost six minutes.
Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi – SiGMA News.
In front of the Eiffel Tower, France’s men’s blind football team defeated Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout. Their 3-2 victory not only avenged France’s 2022 World Cup loss but also marked the first time a team other than Brazil won the Paralympic football tournament.
Rayane Soares da Silva of Brazil set a new world record in the T13 400m sprint, finishing in 53.55 seconds. Her victory broke the previous record, which had stood since 1995. Soares expressed her confidence after the race, stating that her training had prepared her for this milestone achievement.
French swimmers Alex and Kylian Portal brought home silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the 400m freestyle para-swimming event. The brothers, aged 22 and 17, shared the podium. Alex continued his successful run by earning additional medals, making him one of the standout athletes of the Games.
Belarusian swimmer Ihar Boki secured his 20th Paralympic gold medal, equaling the legendary Béatrice Hess. Despite his achievement, Boki, competing under the Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) banner, faced a tense podium moment when Ukrainian competitors refused to stand alongside him in protest of Belarus’s political ties to Russia. Nonetheless, Boki’s four gold medals at the Paris Games solidified his place as one of the greatest Paralympians of all time.
Markus Rehm of Germany continued to dominate the para-athletics scene, winning his fourth consecutive Paralympic gold in the long jump. Known as the “Blade Jumper” for his prosthetic limb, Rehm’s leap of 8.72 meters left no room for competitors. His status as the world’s best in his event remains unchallenged.
Markus Rehm – SiGMA News.
French boccia player Aurélie Aubert made history by becoming the first French athlete to win a gold medal in boccia, a sport exclusively featured in the Paralympics. She competed in the BC1 category for athletes with cerebral palsy and marked her victory by extinguishing the Paralympic flame during the closing ceremony.
At 61, Tomoya Ito became Japan’s oldest Paralympic medalist, securing bronze in the T52 men’s 400-meter wheelchair race. After a tough setback at the Tokyo Games due to a last-minute classification change, Ito reflected, “These past three years have not been in vain. I never gave up, and that’s why I’m able to return like this.” Battling progressive multiple sclerosis, Ito began para-athletics after accidentally ordering a racing wheelchair and deciding to give it a try.
Tomoya Ito – SiGMA News.
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