Marcus Rehm only needed one leap, a miserable one for him, at 8m13, to confiscate this T64 category long jump competition. An event intended for athletes whose movement in the lower part of the leg is moderately limited or who are, like him, one-legged. Even before the start of the event, the German’s success was hardly in doubt, given his wide margin over his competitors. Of the nine finalists, only the American Derek Loccident (8m13) seemed able to tease Blade Jumper. A nickname inspired by the Ridley Scott film. Alas! Loccident had to settle for a jump of 7m79. The Frenchman Dimitri Pavade, silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympics behind Rehm, finished a frustrating fourth with a leap of 7m43.
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In Paris, “Blade jumper” wins his fourth consecutive long jump title. Along with the Italian Bebe Vio and the American of Ukrainian origin Oksana Marsh, he is one of the three superstars of world Paralympism. During the opening ceremony, he carried the flame to the Tuileries Gardens.
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Marcus Rehm is today one of the few athletes at these Olympic Games whose performances are better than those of able-bodied athletes.
Among the ten best jumpers in history
His world record, 8m72 set last year, places him…
- ParisMatch
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