Almost a year before the Paralympic Games in Paris, at the Charléty stadium in the capital, the public is invited to discover disabled sport thanks to the World Para-Athletics Championships.
3 mins
From our special correspondent in Charléty,
Despite the Parisian heat, the show is at the rendezvous at the Charléty stadium, in the 13th arrondissement of the capital. A year before the big deadline of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the World Para-Athletics Championships, which take place until July 17, mark a first major step in France. A welcome highlight with a musical show before each night session, enough to keep the curious and other sports enthusiasts waiting.
Because the Parisian public is invited to come and greet with a little advance those who should shine in a little more than 365 days in the City of Light. Like the Dutch Fleur Jong (long jump), one of the stars of para-athletics, reigning Paralympic champion, who did not disappoint Monday July 10 during the second day of the Worlds. Just missing the world title to complete her collection, Fleur Jong is now ” a complete champion ». They are around 1 300 athletes to put on a show during these Worlds.
” I came to see above all performances »
On a platform fitted out for people in wheelchairs, kids jiggle to the sound of the DJ, tricolor in their hands, smiling from ear to ear, while on the track, the wheelchair sprint warm-up is in full swing.
Charlotte is patiently waiting outside for a friend. Listening to a remix of Daft Punk, she can’t wait to be in the enclosure. “ This is my first disabled sport competition and I came to see above all performances she said cheerfully. And to add: I’m not a great athlete, but I admire what disabled athletes can do. It’s inspiring. »
Thirty minutes from the start of the session on Tuesday, July 11, the stands are slowly filling up, the wind is cooling the faces a little. This evening, we are once again celebrating the difference with 18 gold medals at stake. And for this third day, France is hoping for its first charm.
In the meantime, the Ecuadorian Kiara Rodriguez takes first place in her series over 100 meters in 12’20 (in the T47 category, low upper limb handicap). Total silence before the pistol shot, followed by a shower of applause. Then, the competitions follow one another at a frantic pace and the spectators discover among other things: the throwing of the disc, the javelin, the long jump or the high jump with the Senegalese Abdou Ba, who lost an arm in the six years old.
” I think I was very stressed by the stakes and especially by the public at the stadium “, said the French Gloria Agblemagnon, fourth at the end of the shot put competition. With this result, France obtains a place for this discipline in 2024.
The end of the session is approaching and the stadium is exulting. Manon Genest opens the tricolor counter by winning bronze in the long jump. A great moment of joy for the young mother. Athletes from the 107 countries represented in Charléty, in the south of the capital, can on the occasion of these Worlds win their ticket for Paris 2024.
► To read: Paris hosts the World Para Athletics Championships