Paris 2024 Paralympic Games | Top 8 medals target: an ambitious French delegation following its leaders

Late on Tuesday afternoon, with just over a month to go until the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (28 August-8 September), the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF) presented its delegation. The 237-strong delegation, led by flag-bearers Nantenin Keïta and Alexis Hanquinquant, is ambitious.

The deadline is approaching. With the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (28 August-8 September) just around the corner, the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF) has organised its entire delegation by videoconference. Comprising 237 athletes, it will naturally be led by para athlete Nantenin Keïta and para triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant, the flag-bearers elected earlier this month. 20 guides, pilots and assistants have also been selected.

It was also the first time in history that France was represented in all twenty-two Paralympic sports at the Summer Games. This achievement was made possible in particular by the delegations sent in Sitting volleyball and Goalball, as well as by the return of men's Wheelchair basketball. In total, 13 different Paralympic federations will be represented at Paris 2024.

France aims to win 20 gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Other key figures include the fact that the average age of the French delegation is 33.5, that 121 athletes are first-time Paralympians and that between 100 and 120 of them will be present at the opening ceremony on 28 August. The number of women in the squad is also increasing, with 82 para-athletes selected (compared with 155 men), representing more than 34% of the total and almost 10% more than at Tokyo 2020. "We're very proud of this", explained Marie-Amélie Le Fur, President of the CPSF and former Paralympic medallist in para-athletics.

In terms of declared ambitions, they are high, with a return to the top 8 of the nations' medal rankings being targeted. This would be a first since 1992. To achieve this, they will need to win at least 20 gold medals. "The major area for improvement that we must aim for is to increase the number of gold medals, because that is what determines the balance of power between the nations", said Jean Minier, Director of Sport at the CPSF.