Para triathlon at the Paris 2024 Paralympics: an exciting monday at Pont Alexandre III

By Samuel Troccaz (from the Pont Alexandre III)
3 min|
Jules Ribstein
Picture by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Para Triathlon

This Monday, the Para triathlon events at the Paris 2024 Paralympics electrified the area around Pont Alexandre III. Para athletes put on a stunning display in front of an eager crowd. Here’s a closer look at the action.

With Sunday's races postponed to Monday, the Para triathlon took center stage around Pont Alexandre III. Team France continued to impress, securing two gold medals thanks to stellar performances by Alexis Hanquinquant and Jules Ribstein. The athletes swam through the Seine, cycled over the cobbled streets of the Champs-Elysées, and ran towards the Grand Palais. "The course is amazing," said Louis Noël, who finished fourth in the men’s PTWC final. "We felt so many emotions; it was the highlight of the year!"

Picture by Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Sunshine and Para athletes

After the storm, comes the sun. The weekend's thunderstorms cleared up, making way for clear skies. "The weather was perfect," said a thrilled Alexis Hanquinquant, now a double Paralympic champion. "The roads were dry, so we didn’t have to take big risks on the bike."

The bright blue sky matched the large turnout of fans who came to support the Para athletes. "It was packed, even on the Champs-Elysées," noted the flag bearer of the French delegation. While the energetic crowd boosted many, it posed a challenge for the visually impaired triathletes. "During our preparation, we developed a tactile communication system with my guide," explained Héloïse Courvoisier. "On the bike, we used the brakes and pedals to manage our efforts as best as possible."

Concerns about the Seine's current also lingered. "We were particularly worried about it and had trained using parachutes and elastic bands," said Louis Noël. "But in the end, it was pretty calm, and we had no trouble."

The Sunday disappointment

The races were initially set for Sunday, but the weather conditions rendered the Seine unsuitable for the Para athletes. This delay added stress for Jules Ribstein, who won gold in the PTS2 category. "I’ve been having trouble sleeping for a week, so having to wait another night was tough," admitted the new champion. "Now that it's over, I can finally relax!"

French team coach Benjamin Maze called Léo Bergère, who experienced a similar situation at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, to speak to the athletes. "It was inspiring for my Para athletes! Having an able-bodied athlete bring a sense of calm was a great gesture."

Despite the success, Alexis Hanquinquant couldn’t shake off his disappointment: "I was sad yesterday because some of my loved ones came and had to leave." In the end, though, what will be remembered is the 11.000 spectators who lined the streets of Paris to witness this remarkable event.