Paris 2024: France aiming high on home soil 

France is ready to put on a show in front of a home crowd at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

For the first time in history, French athletes will compete in every sport at the Paralympics. Para triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant and sprinter Nantenin Keita will be carrying the flag during the Opening Ceremony on 28 August. 

Big hopes in front of home crowds 

As the hosts, the French team has big ambitions at Paris 2024. They are aiming to win 20 gold medals over the 12 days of competition, compared with 11 won in Tokyo three years ago. 

While that may sound ambitious, Marie Amelie Le Fur, the president of the French Paralympic Committee, says it is not a long shot considering how the athletes have been performing in recent years. 

“It’s a great, great ambition but we know it’s true. We can have this ambition because the preparation of athletes is going very well,” said Le Fur, a three-time Paralympic champion. “At these Games, we can build a very stronger French team and with the French public, we can make the difference to go to win the medal.” 

Le Fur, who debuted at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and competed at four Paralympics in total, is especially excited that there will be athletes represented in every sport.  

“This is very important for us because it’s a demonstration that French athletes can build a very strong team in all sports,” she said. 

“This opens the mind about the opportunity existing in French for people with disabilities to do sports. They can do many, many sports. And when you have a team involving 22 sports at the Paralympic Games, it’s a demonstration of that.” 

Meet the home favourites 

Flagbearers Hanquinquant and Keita will lead the French team in its ambition for the 20 gold medals. Hanquinquant, who won the men’s Para triathlon PTS4 race at Tokyo 2020, is looking to defend his title in front of a home crowd.  

“The preparation has gone really well,” Hanquinquant said. “We have a great French team. We’re in a good position to win medals – we’re at home. 

“There are lots of differences from Tokyo. Covid is no longer there, so we can really see a growth in terms of fans. We saw the Olympic Games being a huge success, [with] lots and lots of spectators and a great atmosphere. We hope the same will be there for the Paralympics.” 

Four-time Paralympic medallist Keita is excited that her career is “complete” at her fifth Games.  

“I have been a medallist, I have been an athlete, and I have discovered every part of the sport,” she said. “Now I will carry the flag for France. So my career is really complete. It’s the first Paralympics in France, so I will always be the first one [to carry the flag].” 

Other returning Paralympic champions include Para cycling star Alexandre Leaute, who earned four medals at Tokyo 2020. He broke the world record twice on his way to the top of the podium in the men’s individual pursuit C2 three years ago, and he is ready to repeat the feat in Paris. 

“I’m so excited for my friends and family to finally be able to come and see me compete since it’s not very far from home,” he said ahead of the Games.  

“It would be the accomplishment of a dream and then I will have to find new ways to motivate myself.” 

Le Fur expects a medal haul in Para swimming from home favourites Ugo Didier as well as Tokyo 2020 medallists Alex Portal and Florent Marais. Para canoe athlete Nelia Barbosa is a big gold medal prospect after finishing with a silver in the women’s kayak single KL3 at Tokyo 2020. 

“She is a lightning athlete, she has a great smile. And she won a silver medal in Tokyo, so I really hope to see her on the top of the podium,” Le Fur said.  

“So come support and support, you will see French people and French athletes win medals, and you will see all athletes win medals.” 

This is just the beginning

Paris 2024 will take place from 28 August to 8 September, featuring more than 4,000 athletes from around the world. Even before the Games open, there has been changes made in the French capital.  

“I’m excited because these Games changed Para sport in France,” Le Fur added. “A lot of people are now involved to build a better society for people with disabilities, in sports all around our country, and that’s why we are excited about these Games.

“I believe that it’s just a start, the people in the public are involved in this change. They understand why we have to do that and why we have to accelerate that – and I really believe and this way we will continue after the Games.”