Once this monumental time trial of intensity has been digested – more than 38 minutes at an average of 44 km/h on the Paris region course of Clichy-sous-Bois –, it is no longer the face lined by the effort that Thomas Peyroton-Dartet displays but the smile radiating with pride. At 39 years old, the French runner – who was not considered a favorite on paper at the start of the race – becomes Paralympic champion for his first participation in the Games.
Also read Paralympics: France is on track!
His comrades from the French cycling team – Alexandre Léauté, Kevin le Cunff and Gatien le Rousseau – exult and come to congratulate him. All medallists or titles holders, they embrace, aware of their friend’s performance, before the naturalness of a group that lives well, according to the consecrated expression, takes over again. “Did you do one more lap this time or not?” says, teasing, Alexandre Léauté, the leader of the French delegation with his two gold medals.
A monster of resilience
The person concerned explains: “They are teasing me because in the pursuit event on the track, I did one and a half laps too many without realizing it. Because of my disability, I can easily lose my balance. So, I need to put myself in a bubble that completely isolates me from outside noise and I did not hear the bell announcing the last lap.”
His handicap would have left more than one person on the floor. His story too. Monster of …
- ParisMatch
