For the ninth day of competition, Friday, September 6, the chances of medals are still numerous for the French delegation at the Paralympic Games. Athletics is highly anticipated, particularly with the 4×100 m universal relay, as well as the Stéphane Houdet-Frédéric Cattanéo pair in wheelchair tennis, who will play for bronze in men’s doubles. Paracanoeing is also invited to the party, still in Vaires-sur-Marne.
The three events not to be missed: 4x100m universal relay, road cycling and wheelchair tennis
The only relay event in para-athletics, the 4x100m universal relay will mark this day at the Stade de France. This race, unique in its kind, is very spectacular. The two women and two men who make up this quartet of sprinters have four different types of disabilities. The relay begins with a visually impaired athlete who passes the baton to an amputee sprinter. The latter continues the race and passes the baton to a person with a cerebral palsy disability. The relay ends with a final straight line carried out by an athlete in a wheelchair. Qualifications will begin at 12:57 p.m., the final is scheduled for 8:56 p.m.
As has been the case for the past two days, road cycling and the 14.2 km circuit in Clichy-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis) could bring France a slew of medals. After the time trials, Marie Patouillet and Heïdi Gaugain will once again aim for a medal in the road race in category 4-5 (start at 9:35 a.m.), as will medallists Dorian Foulon, Kévin Le Cunff and Gatien Le Rousseau in the men’s race (start at 9:30 a.m.). In the afternoon (from 1 p.m.), in category B (visually impaired), Alexandre Lloveras, Elie de Carvalho, and Anne-Sophie Centis will also try to get on the podium for French cycling.
Orphaned by French medals at the Olympic Games, the Roland-Garros courts could experience their big day with the men’s doubles. Frédéric Cattanéo and Stéphane Houdet have the opportunity to win a bronze medal in the small final on the Suzanne-Lenglen court (12:00). Stéphane Houdet knows the place well, since he has already won nine titles (two in singles, seven in doubles) in the temple of French tennis.
The three French people to follow: Souhad Ghazouani, Dimitri Granjux and Rémy Boullé
Weightlifting could bring a medal to the French delegation with Souhad Ghazouani. At 42, she is competing in her sixth Games. Each time, the Northerner has managed to climb onto the podium, with the highlight being her title in London in the under 67.5 kg category (now the category up to 67 kg). Considered one of the best weightlifters in the world, she will try to win a new medal at the Arena Porte de La Chapelle from 5 p.m.
Already a finalist twice since the start of the Games, in the 100m freestyle and 150m medley, Dimitri Granjux is still aiming for his first podium at just 18 years old. Friday is certainly his best chance, in the men’s 50m freestyle S4 (heats at 11:03 and final at 19:40). He is the reigning European champion in this distance and has posted the best world performance of the year. He will not be the only one in the pool at Paris La Défense Arena. Solène Sache (50m butterfly S5 heats at 9:53 a.m., final at 5:58 p.m.), Anaëlle Roulet and Emeline Pierre (100m backstroke S10, heats at 10:10 a.m. and final at 6:12 p.m.), and Assya Maurin-Espiau (women’s 100m backstroke S14, heats at 10:45 a.m., final at 7:10 p.m.) will also be in the running.
Friday also marks the start of para-canoeing at the Vaires-sur-Marne nautical stadium (Seine-et-Marne). For the first race, at 10 a.m., Rémy Boullé will try to qualify for the semi-finals (Saturday) of the 200 m kayak category KL1. Bronze medalist in Tokyo, he is coming off a season marked by a European champion title and a silver medal at the world championships. He will not be the only one to set off on Friday. On her pirogue, Eléa Charvet is entered in the 200 m in the VL3 category (10:30 a.m.). Nélia Barbosa (in KL3, at 11:55 a.m.) and Abel Aber (in VL3, at 12:05 p.m.) will start in the morning.
The full program and the finals of the day
In addition to the 4x100m universal relay, athletics offers a rich program. At 10:00, Angelina Lanza (T46), in the T47 long jump competition, will open the day. Vitolio Kavakava, seventh in the javelin competition a week ago, will have another chance of a podium with the F57 shot put (from 19:04).
In Versailles, in equestrian, the grade III team event will give its final verdict from 4:03 p.m. Finally, we will also have to follow the outcome of the men’s sitting volleyball tournament (small final at 3 p.m. and final at 7:30 p.m.), as well as the judo from 10 a.m., with Armindo Rodrigues (-73 kg, category J1) and Nathan Petit (-73 kg, category J2).
On which channels can you follow the events on France Télévisions?
On France 2, from 9:30 a.m.
On France 3, from 12:55 p.m.
And to follow on france.tv throughout the day
Broadcast times are subject to change.
