To finally get a taste of Paralympic gold, Timothée Adolphe will have to push on to Los Angeles in 2028. In Paris, the visually impaired French sprinter still added two new silver medals to his collection, which now stands at three. But if “the white cheetah” can regret his defeat on the track lap – second in the 400m on Sunday – he has little to reproach himself for on the straight. Collapsed four days earlier, his face was much less overwhelmed on Thursday, September 5, after his second second place in the competition.
The Parisian finished in second place in the 100m in 11.05 seconds, ahead of the world record holder and reigning champion, the Greek Athanasios Ghavelas, in 11.02 seconds, erasing Timothée Adolphe’s best time of the season – which he equalled on Thursday. The Chinese Di Dongdong took third place (in 11.08 seconds).
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Dulled by the three more races than his rival Ghavelas – the multiplication of events obliges –, he lacked a little juice: « We’re a bit lacking in pace. I have three 400m laps in my legs. There’s a bit of fatigue, let’s not lie to ourselves.”recognized the French.
The double 2024 Paralympic medallist was, however, able to enjoy the atmosphere at the Stade de France one last time, taking a lap of honour and meeting with President Emmanuel Macron. « There is frustration but, at the same time, we wanted to enjoy it because we will not find such a warm audience again”he reacted.
In the 100m, Timothée Adolphe teams up with a new guide, Charles Renard, who can run 10.53 seconds on the straight line solo. In mid-August, the double Paralympic medallist at the Paris Games described Monde what he expects from a good guide: “You have to know how to step away from yourself, listen to your feelings and those of your partner to establish synchronization.” Until creating a common stride, that of the doublet.
“A better global record does not give a medal”
In 2024, Timothée Adolphe and Charles Renard had already run in 11.05 seconds, the world’s best performance of the year so far. A few weeks before the Paralympic deadline, the French sprinter displayed a mixture of confidence and caution. “We are close to going back under eleven seconds. That gives good indications and it’s cool for a recent duohe analyzed. But being number one in the world rankings does not give you a head start on medals: you have to confirm on the day.”
Beyond the sporting aspect, Timothée Adolphe had taken advantage, in June, of the sounding board offered by the Games in France to make his fight for accessibility heard. He had spoken publicly following yet another refusal by a taxi driver – despite having been warned when booking – to take him and his guide dog, Thor. “Sometimes I have eight cancellations at the last minute, when the drivers see me with him”he was indignant.
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