Bronze medalist in the 100m freestyle, Laurent Charard allowed the Blues to do better than three years ago in Tokyo.
Para-swimmer Laurent Chardard won bronze in the 100m freestyle in the S6 category on Thursday, a 56th French medal which allows France to surpass the number of medals at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021.
In a high-energy atmosphere at the La Défense Arena swimming pool, the 29-year-old para-athlete covered the distance in 1 min 05 sec 28, finishing behind the Italian Antonio Fantin (1:03.12) who set a new Paralympic record. The Brazilian Talisson Henrique Glock came in second (1:05.27).
This is the 56th medal won by French athletes during these Paris Paralympic Games, which take place until September 8.
Cheered by the public as soon as he arrived at the edge of the pool, Laurent Chardard gradually broke away to reach the leading trio during the second length, after a very close first length between all the competitors.
The Reunion native, who had his right arm and leg amputated following a shark attack, had already won bronze on Tuesday in the 50m butterfly, his first Paralympic medal. He had also participated in the Tokyo Games, but without reaching the podium.
He competes in the S6 category, reserved for people with a physical disability.
In this category, races may be between swimmers whose disabilities are of a very different nature, but for whom it is accepted that the performance capacity in the stroke considered is comparable. The lower the number, the greater the functional loss.
Swimming was one of the most medal-winning disciplines during these Games. French para-swimmers have won a total of 11 awards so far.
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