Whether it was a British quartet sweeping all before them, an Australian legend adding to his greatness or an Algerian making history, the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 will never be forgotten.
Exactly one year ago today, the Paracanoe competition got underway at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
It was the start of three days of racing as Paracanoe helped close the Games in style.
As we celebrate the first anniversary, here is a look back at all the memorable moments from an unforgettable Paralympic Games.
History for Africa
For the first time in Paracanoe history, an African paddler climbed to the top of the podium. Algeria’s Brahim Guendouz produced a remarkable performance to capture the men’s KL3 crown. It was an historic moment for Algeria and the entire continent of Africa. Guendouz, who is part of the International Canoe Federation Talent Identification Programme, has become a trailblazer for Paracanoe in Africa, winning the continent’s first-ever world medal in 2023.
Truly global sport
As well as Guendouz’s success, Africa achieved other good results with Senegal’s Edmond Sanka making the men’s KL3 final and Salwa Ahmed marked Egypt’s Paralympic debut by finishing ninth in the women’s KL2. Every continent claimed a Paracanoe medal. There was first for China as Yongyuan Zhong earned women’s VL3 bronze. Europe, Oceania and Pan America also achieved success as 13 countries picked up at least one medal to help underline the global development of Paracanoe.
Henshaw leads British charge
For the third successive Paralympic Games, Great Britain topped the medal table. The British team finished with four golds and four silvers - double the amount of medals won by second-placed Brazil. Two of those titles were won by Charlotte Henshaw who powered to victory in the women’s VL3 and women’s KL2. The other gold medals were claimed by Laura Sugar in the women’s KL3 and Emma Wiggs in the women KL2. Wiggs also secured a silver medal - the same colour won by David Phillipson, Jack Eyers and Hope Gordon.
More McGrath magic
Curtis McGrath was another paddler to make history in Paris. The Australian star cruised to the men’s KL2 title to win a record fourth Paralympic gold medal and underline his legendary status in the sport. There was no golden double as he missed out on a medal in the men’s VL3 but he was overjoyed to be reunited with the soldiers that saved his life when he stepped on a land mine and lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan.
Buzz of packed crowd
Fans filled the stands for all three days of completion, generating an incredible atmosphere at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. The sight of seeing those large crowds will be a long-lasting memory for those that were involved at the Games. One of the other great moments was seeing Katherinne Wollermann’s big smile after being pulled from the water as she celebrated winning Chile’s first-ever gold in Paracanoe at the Games, while Brazil's Fernando Rufino de Paulo and Igor Alex Tofalini, both sporting moustaches, lapped up the reception after finishing first and second respectively in the men's VL2
Related links
