Paris 2024 Paralympics | Para swimming - ‘Not the race I wanted to run’: Alex Portal continues his medal haul, but Ihar Boki remains the best
In the space of three days, Alex Portal from the Paris region has won three medals in Para swimming at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. However, he has yet to win gold, thanks to Ihar Boki, his rival competing under the banner of Neutral Paralympic Athletes.
A few minutes after the conclusion of the Para-swimming 400 m freestyle S13 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a shadow crossed the mixed zone at the Paris La Défense Arena. It was a human shadow: Alex Portal. After leading the race for a long time, the French Para swimmer was forced to give up on his great rival Ihar Boki.
The neutral Paralympic athlete (NPA), a true legend in his category with dozens of medals won at the Games, never let the 22-year-old from the Paris region get more than half a length ahead. A doctor of Para-swimming science, Ihar Boki then accelerated towards the end of the race, putting his opponent behind him for good in the last 100 metres. And even the immense hullabaloo created by the thousands of spectators who had packed the Nantes venue could do nothing about it: Alex Portal had to bow out once again.
It was a race that we thought was playable, and it was, but he lacked a little bit of speed in the first 200 metres,’ his coach Guillaume Benoist told the press. I think it was experience that made the difference, because the times predicted a much better time [for Alex Portal]. [Ihar Boki] has the experience, while we're still really lacking, but we'll get there.
Tears and pride
After winning silver two days ago in the 100 m butterfly and a bronze medal 24 hours ago in the 100 m backstroke, Alex Portal picked up silver again in the 400 m freestyle, the discipline in which he is the reigning world champion. Despite the joy of sharing this third podium of the week with his younger brother Kylian Portal, it was well worth a flood of tears. The only thing I wanted was this shared podium,’ said Portal, all smiles as he began his media tour. It's a bit of a shame that Alex [Portal] came second, but he's still a Paralympic vice-champion.
Alex Portal did indeed win his fifth Paralympic Games medal in para-swimming on Saturday. It was a remarkable performance, but one that didn't erase his legitimate disappointment.
He tried to enjoy on the podium
On the podium an hour later, Alex Portal's face was still tense. Despite the impressive noise made by the spectators, he was still holding back, still visibly disappointed by the silver medal he ended up holding up. I tried to enjoy the podium as much as possible, which is what everyone told me to do and what the public made me understand,’ he said afterwards in the mixed zone, where he had finally stopped. I didn't do the race I wanted to do, but sharing this podium with Kylian [Portal] changes everything. I'm enjoying it thanks to him and I'm more proud of him than of myself.
‘I know he's a little less happy with his performance, but I'm still just as proud of him. He gave his all to go after Boki, who is a 19-time Paralympic champion - that's no mean feat,’ said Kylian Portal. I'm the first to see how hard he trains for this. Boki's not an easy opponent to beat, he's been around and winning for I don't know how many years now. I'm so proud of him, he gives his all and never doubts himself. He gave it his best shot.
On Tuesday 3 September, in the SM13 200 m 4 swim, Alex Portal will have one last chance to knock King Ihar Boki off his pedestal. And he's determined to seize the opportunity to do just that.
All the Para swimming results for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
All Para-swimming results and schedules can be accessed and updated in real time HERE.