Paris 2024 Paralympic Games | Para triathlon: The streets of Paris come alive with the first events

This Monday, September 2nd, all the Para triathlon events of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are taking place. From the Pont Alexandre III to the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, the city of Paris awakens to a memorable spectacle.

8:15 AM. The Para triathletes in the PTWC category are the first to dive into the Seine River. From the specially created stands on the Pont Alexandre III, the view is spectacular: after the swimming start, the triathletes make several passes over the bridge, notably for the transitions between swimming and cycling, then cycling and running.

While some are already in the water, others are still waiting for their turn: behind the scenes, some triathletes are warming up. Near the Grand Palais, a few have chosen to make their final adjustments before the big moment, away from the public and cameras.

Supporters on the move

Under a bright sun, ticket holders took their seats in the stands set up along the Seine. For the luckiest, it's directly from the Pont Alexandre III that they have the privilege of watching the various events. However, Para triathlon offers a course through Paris that is mostly accessible without a ticket.

Further away, along Rue François Ier, some groups of fans gathered for the first races. Among them are supporters of Mona Francis, who turned out in large numbers for the occasion. One of them, Nicolas, is a sponsor of the triathlete. Though he admits it was tough to wake up early, he has no regrets about coming to cheer for the French athlete. Well-positioned on a street where the triathletes pass by, the supporter is thrilled and even describes it as an "incredible" spot.

Across the street, a group of middle school students came to support "all the triathletes." To be here, they traveled over 9,000 km! While for many children and teenagers, this Monday marks the start of the school year, these students from Réunion Island (with their flag in hand) are here on an educational trip. Awestruck, they have no shortage of superlatives to describe what they’re witnessing: "amazing," "magical," and "extraordinary" are just a few words heard.

Alexis Hanquinquant, star of the day

While the crowd is smaller near the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the distant Arc de Triomphe provides a beautiful postcard-worthy view. In this rather quiet spot, a group of supporters is set to ignite the most famous avenue in the world. They traveled by bus from Normandy to support Alexis Hanquinquant, the French flag bearer and Paralympic champion from Tokyo 2020.

Flags, t-shirts and bags bearing the triathlete's likeness: everything is ready for the group of about sixty supporters who came for the athlete who lit the Paralympic Flame on Wednesday, August 28. Enthusiastic and confident about her favorite, Valérie, the treasurer of the supporters' association, hopes with all her heart to see Alexis Hanquinquant triumph today. However, "you never know," she prefers to wait until he crosses the finish line before getting too excited.

With a race starting at 12:25 PM, Alexis Hanquinquant will be among the many French triathletes hoping to reach the Paralympic podium today.