Paris 2024 Paralympics | The volcanic Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome went up in flames
Another emotional and medal-filled day for the French delegation on Saturday August 31. In the Para cycling track event, Les Bleus showed off their talent to win no less than three medals thanks to Alexandre Léauté, Gatien le Rousseau and Dorian Foulon.
Experiencing the Paris 2024 Games at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome begins long before you step through the gates. In fact, it's a good kilometer away that the atmosphere of the Games takes hold. Here, at the train station in the town of Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines is the name of the conurbation), the atmosphere is already Paralympic! The walk to the competition venue passes by at breakneck speed, thanks to the good humor of the volunteers guiding the public. “Hello and welcome!”, ”Have a nice day, everyone, enjoy! “. The welcome couldn't be warmer! The long line of spectators spreads out across the velodrome forecourt, where, by mid-morning, some great stories are already being written. Particularly for the French, who are playing their qualifiers for the afternoon finals.
In the oven of the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome
I'd better warn you right away. You won't catch a cold at this velodrome! Here, the thermostat is set at 29 degrees to generate ideal atmospheric pressure and facilitate the performance of the Para athletes. And it's clear that it works! Coupled with the talent of the Para cyclists, this setting enables them to ride fast, very fast, like Dorian Foulon, who shaved almost 4 seconds off his own world record in the 4,000-meter individual pursuit. Like a virtuous circle, the public let itself be carried away by these achievements and, inevitably, the crowd's jubilation swept everything in its path. And so it was that the 5,000 spectators cheered on each competitor in an overheated atmosphere. And it's not unusual to get a thrill, as when Amanda Reid (Australia) embraces her loved ones on the edge of the track just seconds after winning gold in the 500-meter race, to thunderous applause.
A shower of French medals
In a nightclub atmosphere, the largely French audience enjoyed watching their French representatives, as almost all of whom managed to qualify for the afternoon finals. Here, everything has been designed to ensure that there's no downtime. The races follow one another in a frenzy, and even the slightest intermission is filled with hits from the DJ. The remix of Lana Del Rey's famous Summer Time Sadness gets the crowd moving. They're actually living their Summer Time Madness! On this August 31st, thousands of spectators are forging incredible memories. The madness is palpable, especially when Alexandre Léauté wins another medal, this time in bronze. In fact, the Breton opened an hour of madness for the French clan, as Gatien Le Rousseau went on to win the first Paralympic medal of his young career (aged 21). But it was at 3.15pm that the whole velodrome began to shake. At the end of a masterfully controlled 4,000-meter race, Dorian Foulon gave the French delegation a third gold medal by retaining his title in the C5 individual pursuit. The joy in the stands is indescribable!
A total Paralympic experience
Dorian Foulon's words are clear. “Today, it was the public that made the difference”. Proof that the fans' support for the athletes allows them to surpass themselves and go for the stars. The clapping launched by the French gold medallist as soon as he got off the bike is a perfect illustration. The experience on this competition venue is collective and total. It starts as soon as you arrive at the train station, continues with a Marseillaise sung at the top of your lungs, and lasts right up to your departure, thanks to the guard of honor and the fiery atmosphere reserved by the volunteers. To the tunes of Gala's “freed from desire”, the crowd extends the party onto the forecourt. It's not easy to leave after such emotions... Thanks to the Games!