Paris 2024 Paralympics | Para athletics: a final evening covered in gold
The last night of athletics was on the bill for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games this Saturday at the Stade de France. Several stars took the opportunity to make their mark.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are about to come to an end. Before the final day of competition, the ultimate Para athletics evening took place at the Stade de France this Saturday. For the occasion, three French Para athletes contested their finals: Renaud Clerc in the 1,500 m T38, Badr Touzi in the shot put F63 and Sofia Pace in the 400 m T38.
Renaud Clerc finishes seventh
Renaud Clerc finished seventh in his final. Despite spending 1,000 m at the front of the race, the Frenchman was unable to keep up with the pace set by the group of favorites. In a race that was “rubbing hard”, the Albi native showed himself to be a conqueror. “After a few weeks' vacation, I'm now going back to INSEP to get back into training,” he explains.
Amen Allah Tissaoui, who won the event at just 19 years of age, picked up his first gold medal. "I was disappointed with my third place in the 400 m, admits the Tunisian. I'm happy to have regained my confidence in a tough race with stiff competition.”
A day full of love for Sofia Pace
Despite finishing eighth in the 400 m T38 final, Sofia Pace was all smiles after her race. "It was a magical moment that will remain engraved in my memory forever, said the French Para athlete. I have no regrets, as I beat my personal bests in all my races. My family, my coaches... A lot of people came to see me,” she congratulates*. It was a day filled with joy, smiles and love”.*
In her category, Colombia's Karen Tatiana Palomeque Moreno won by more than a second over her own world record. The Medellin native had already won the 100 m T38 earlier in the week. “It's wonderful, I've worked so hard to achieve this,” she said.
No feat for Touzi
French Para thrower Badr Touzi rounded off the French ball at the Stade de France. The world number five in his category finished in seventh place. After reaching 13.33 m on his second attempt, the Tricolore was unable to improve on his mark.
Other emotions of the evening
- Cuban Omara Durand retained her title in the 200 m T12. With her guide Yuniol Kindelan, she won her eleventh Paralympic medal, her third in Paris.
- Anna Girmaldi also became Paralympic champion in the 200 m T47. The New Zealander had already been crowned in the long jump at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
- Morocco achieved a double in the 400 m T47: Aymane El Haddaoui won gold by setting a new world record, and his compatriot Ayoub Sadni came second.