Throughout the summer of 2024, time seemed to stand still. 29 days in total during which France only exchanged… words of love. In 30 minutes, this magazine looks back on the best moments experienced by our overseas athletes and personalities. From the lyrical singer Axelle St-Cire, via Teddy Riner and Kauli Vaast, to the musical closing by Luan Pommier, “Aito” offers to relive the intense emotions that the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games gave us.
Detour through paradise with the Polynesian surfer's gold medal Kauli Vaast at home in Polynesia. A an uninhibited look at blind football, the French team medal and the joy of the Reunionese Gaël Rivière. La transformation success of our French rugby players who became Olympic rugby sevens champions. Just guided by the voice of the West Indian Jeffrey Lammythe para-athlete Timothy Adolphe became Paralympic vice-champion in the 400 meters.
In freedom, the Reunionese Laurent Chardard won no less than two bronze medals in para-swimming. Quite a revenge for this former surfer, once attacked by a shark and who then lost a leg and an arm. A look back at the money won by the men's and women's basketball teams, the girls' handball and the boys' foot.
Passion best characterizes the Reunionese para-athlete Dimitri Pavade4e in the Paralympic long jump event, just one year after a serious knee injury. For his part, pushed to the fall two hundred meters from the finish of the 4 x 400 meters, the Réunionnais Fabrisio Saidy was nonetheless exemplary. No hate speech upon arrival. Just a great moment of love with the French supporters.
Then, return to the Olympic gold medal of the Martiniquaise Althéa Laurin in taekwondo. A historic first for France. And as if touched by grace, the Guadeloupean Yannick Borel came very close to a coronation at home. The world epee champion won a silver medal of which he is very proud.
Eternal, the Caledonian Pierre Fairbank is still there. At 53 years old. For his 7e Paralympic Games, he competed in the 100, 400 and 800 meters wheelchair. No tenth medal for the champion but a very big emotion at the time of the last lap of the Paralympic track. Unique as the only appearance of breaking events at the Olympics. And that’s good for the Guyanese Dany Then. By winning silver, he knows he is making history, while others come close to Paralympic consecration like the Guadeloupean para-judoka Hélios Latchoumanaya. Already world champion and third at the Tokyo Games, Hélios came very close to a gold medal. The visually impaired athlete will have to settle for money.
How not to close this Olympic and Paralympic page with Teddy Riner ? It is the apotheosis of a third individual gold medal to which is added a team gold medal. The Guadeloupean was just the must-see for these Paris 2024 Games.
France
