Paris 2024: A Triumphant Paralympic Debut for the City of Lights
Paris made history in 2024 by hosting its first-ever Paralympic Games, exceeding all expectations with an event of unparalleled magnitude. From the meticulously planned venues and flawless institution to the excited crowds and diverse range of sporting events, every aspect of the Games was executed with precision.Over 4,400 athletes representing 182 nations converged on the French capital, showcasing their exceptional abilities and inspiring the world.The Games utilized 17 venues strategically spread across Paris. Nine were located in the heart of the city, while three were situated in the northern district of Saint-Denis.The remaining five venues were found in the outskirts or nearby towns. Iconic Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars, Les Invalides, and the Palace of Versailles were transformed into thrilling Paralympic arenas, adding a unique charm to the Games.
The opening ceremony, held on August 28th in the iconic Place de la Concorde, featured a impressive parade of national delegations along the Champs-Élysées. The closing ceremony, a fitting culmination to the Games, took place on September 8th at the stade de France, the athletics venue in Saint-Denis.The stadium was packed with enthusiastic spectators eager to witness the final moments of this unforgettable event.
Paris 2024 showcased a diverse range of 22 paralympic disciplines, including archery, athletics, boccia, cycling, equestrian, goalball, judo, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis, sitting volleyball, basketball, fencing, tennis, quad rugby, blind football, rowing, canoeing, triathlon, taekwondo, and badminton.
Argentina proudly sent a delegation of 70 athletes (39 men and 31 women) to compete in the Games. The national blind football team,”Los Murciélagos,” secured 10 spots,while the remaining 60 athletes competed individually or in pairs across 14 disciplines. Argentina’s athletes delivered an impressive performance, securing 13 medals: 2 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze.
This remarkable achievement placed Argentina in 37th position marking its fifth-best historical performance and the best since Arnhem 1980.Experts consider this to be Argentina’s best performance in the Modern Paralympic era, with Seoul 1988 serving as a turning point in the evolution of the Paralympic movement.Leading the Argentine delegation as flag bearers were Hernán barreto,a triple Paralympic medalist and accomplished sprinter,and Constanza Garrone,a talented table tennis player.
The full list of Argentine athletes who participated in the Games is available upon request.
Argentina’s Triumph at the Paris 2024 Paralympic games
The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris witnessed remarkable performances from Argentine athletes, who secured a total of 13 medals and numerous diplomas, showcasing their exceptional talent and resilience.
Medal Haul Highlights Argentina’s Paralympic Prowess
Argentina’s medal tally included two golds, three silvers, and eight bronzes, demonstrating a strong presence across various disciplines. Golden Glory: Iñaki Basiloff dominated the swimming pool, claiming gold in the men’s 200m individual medley SM7. On the track,Brian Impellizzeri soared to victory in the men’s long jump T37.
Silver Linings: The Argentinean football team for the blind, “Los Murciélagos,” secured a well-deserved silver medal. Hernán Urra added to the silver count with his impressive performance in the men’s shot put F35, while alexis chávez sprinted to silver in the men’s 100m T36.
* Bronze Bonanza: Gustavo Fernández, a seasoned tennis player, clinched bronze in the men’s singles event. Juan Samorano showcased his prowess in parataekwondo, securing bronze in the K44 -70 kg category. Paula Gómez fought valiantly in judo, earning bronze in the J1 -57 kg division. The boccia mixed pair BC3, comprising Stefanía Ferrando and Rodrigo Romero, also secured a bronze medal. Iñaki Basiloff added another medal to his collection with bronze in the men’s 400m freestyle S7. Antonella Ruiz Díaz impressed in athletics, securing bronze in the women’s shot put F41. Fernando Vázquez leaped to bronze in the men’s long jump T12, and Alexis Chávez added another bronze to his name in the men’s 400m T36.
Diploma Recognition for Outstanding Performances
beyond the medalists,several Argentine athletes achieved commendable results,earning diplomas for finishing in the top eight of their respective events.
In athletics,Araceli Rotela placed fourth in both the women’s 100m and 200m T36 races. karen Tassi secured seventh place in the women’s shot put F37, while antonella Ruiz Díaz achieved seventh place in the women’s discus throw F41. Maximiliano Villa finished sixth in the men’s 200m T35 and seventh in the men’s 100m T35. Marilú Romina Fernández secured sixth place in the women’s club throw F31, Hernán Barreto finished seventh in the men’s 200m T35, Rosario Trinidad Coppola placed eighth in the women’s long jump T11, and Pablo Giménez achieved sixth place in the men’s shot put F47.
In swimming, Nicolás Rivero narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB4. Iñaki Basiloff also put in a strong performance, finishing seventh in the men’s 50m butterfly.
Argentina’s Paralympic Journey Continues
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games marked another chapter in Argentina’s Paralympic journey, showcasing the dedication, skill, and unwavering spirit of its athletes. As the Paralympic movement continues to grow,Argentina is poised to make even greater strides on the international stage.
Argentine Athletes Shine at the Paralympic Games
Argentina’s Paralympic athletes delivered impressive performances across various disciplines at the recent Paralympic Games.
Swimming Successes
In the pool, several Argentine swimmers secured top-ten finishes. Notable achievements include:
Backstroke: Lucas Poggi achieved a remarkable 4th place in the 100m backstroke S7 category, while Matías De Andrade secured a commendable 4th place in the 100m backstroke S6. Analuz Pellitero also made her mark, finishing 5th in the 100m backstroke S11.
Breaststroke: Daniela Giménez showcased her talent with an 8th place finish in the 100m breaststroke SB9. Germán Arévalo demonstrated his prowess in the 100m breaststroke SB5, earning a respectable 7th place. Nadia Báez rounded out the strong breaststroke performances with a 5th place finish in the 100m breaststroke SB11.
Table Tennis Triumph
Constanza Garrone represented Argentina with distinction in table tennis, securing a commendable 5th place finish in the single C1-2 category.
Boccia Brilliance
Argentina’s boccia athletes also made their presence felt. Stefanía Ferrando achieved a strong 5th place finish in the single BC3 category. Rodrigo Romero and Luis Cristaldo showcased their skills in the single BC3 and BC2 categories respectively, finishing 8th and 6th.
Judo for the Visually Impaired
On the judo mat, Rocío Ledesma fought valiantly in the J1 -48 kg category, securing a commendable 5th place. Nadia Boggiano and laura gonzález also demonstrated their strength and determination, finishing 7th in the J1 -70 kg and J2 -57 kg categories respectively.Cycling Prowess
Argentina’s cyclists made their mark on the track and road. Rodrigo López showcased his endurance in the pursuit individual 3000 C1, finishing a strong 6th. Mariela Delgado demonstrated her versatility, achieving a 7th place finish in the pursuit individual 3000 FC5 and an 8th place finish in the individual time trial 500 C4-5.
