From historic firsts to styles that lit up the fashion capital of the world, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games provided plenty of memorable moments.
As the curtains closed on a fabulous event in the French capital, here are our top moments.
It’s time for Africa
Paris 2024 saw Africa win its first-ever Paracanoe title thanks to the sensational Brahim Guendouz of Algeria, who struck gold in the men’s KL3. The 25-year-old, part of the International Canoe Federation development programme, won Africa’s first-ever world medal in 2023. The progress of Paracanoe in the continent was underlined when Senegal’s Edmond Sanka joined Guendouz in the men’s KL3 final in Paris, while Salwa Ahmed marked Egypt’s Paralympic debut by finishing ninth in the women’s KL2.
Curt Angle
It was a historic and emotional Games for Australian legend Curtis McGrath, who won his fourth gold medal at the Paralympics by finishing first in the men’s KL2. While he was not able to do the golden double like in Tokyo three years ago, the 36-year-old was reunited with the soldiers who saved his life when he stepped on a landmine and lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan.
Brits show Grit
It was another memorable Games for Great Britain’s paddlers who topped the Paracanoe medals table at Paris 2024. Charlotte Henshaw led from the front, winning the first women’s VL3 final at the Paralympics before retaining the KL2 crown, with teammate Hope Gordon marking her debut with a silver in the former. Emma Wiggs retained her VL2 title and Dave Phillipson bagged his first medal at the level in his fifth Games appearance and second in Paracanoe. They were unstoppable as Laura Sugar added spice by claiming the KL3, beating French favourite Nelia Barbosa, while fellow Brit Jack Eyers picked up silver in the men’s VL3.
Wolverine Frenzy
Brazilian paddlers Fernando Rufino de Paulo and Igor Alex Tofalini paid homage to Marvel Studios’ Deadpool and Wolverine, with moustaches that could give Hugh Jackman a run for his money. However, it was not just their appearance that stole the show as the duo got gold and silver respectively in the men’s VL2, with Rufino retaining his crown in style.
Wonder Wollermann
Gold slipped away from Katherinne Wollermann at the Paralympics in Tokyo, but the Chilean decided to put an end to that in Paris, crossing the line first in the KL1. It was a historic achievement for the 32-year-old, who had won the world title earlier this year and was also Chile’s first-ever gold in Paracanoe at the Games. The celebration that followed matched the achievement, as she plunged into the water at the Vaires-sur Marne Nautical Stadium, with the rescue crew pulling her out.
Worldwide Success
Every continent bagged a medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, making it a truly global event. Joining Algeria in a first medal at the Games was China’s Yongyuan Zhong, who claimed bronze in the women’s VL3. There were also medals for New Zealand and the United States. Peter Cowan added to the Oceania haul with a bronze in the VL3 on his debut, while Steven Haxton impressed again, adding a VL2 bronze to his silver from Tokyo 2020.
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