Paralympics
A hail of medals thanks to Debrunner and Hug: How successful the Paralympics were from a Swiss perspective
The one-hour fireworks display, the inclusive couple and a big thank you. Paris 2024 was a complete success. Our author has picked out four personal highlights from his Paralympics debut.
As a Swiss person, it is easy to lose track of things at the Stade de France last Thursday evening. It is like the “Weltklasse Zürich” meeting, which is taking place at the same time at the Letzigrund – just with even more Swiss successes and spectators.
Catherine Debrunner starts off just before 7.30 p.m., the Thurgau native wins her fourth gold medal in the 400 m on her medal raid. The superstar will ultimately win five, plus a silver medal. No sooner has the jubilation over her latest coup died down than Manuela Schär wins silver in her category. For the Lucerne native, it is the second medal after gold in the 800 m, and in the last track race of her career. A more than worthy conclusion.
Catherine Debrunner wins six medals in Paris.
Image: Ennio Leanza/Keystone
Then it’s Marcel Hug’s turn. The Thurgau native competes in the most difficult discipline for him, the 800 m, and after 600 meters he is still far behind the medals, but with an irresistible final spurt he finally makes it to third place. On Sunday morning he dominates the marathon title and achieves his self-imposed goal: he wins one gold, two silvers and one bronze.
Elena Kratter was also in action during all of these races. The Swiss athlete, who won bronze in the long jump at her debut three years ago, came third again.
Marcel Hug wins the coveted gold medal in the marathon.
Bild: Thibault Camus / AP
A second moment for eternity: Sunday shortly before 1 p.m., when the Swiss Psalm was sung twice within a quarter of an hour in the city center in favor of the marathon champions Hug and Debrunner.
Ilaria Renggli’s unexpected premiere
The 24-year-old from Aargau’s journey through the wheelchair badminton tournament is extremely impressive. She played nine matches in her first Paralympics, in five days and in front of a crowd that far surpassed everything she had experienced before.
Nine matches in which she played badminton better than ever before, but was also able to react to setbacks. Like the decisive group match in doubles, for example, when Mathez/Renggli lost to Thailand after match point, or the small final against the same pair, which they lost by no means inevitably.
For Ilaria Renggli it was the biggest career victory at the Paralympics so far.
Image: Ennio Leanza/Keystone
It is, together with the singles semi-final, the third defeat in a row, her body is tired, her head is empty and now the most important match of her career follows – the singles match for third place. Renggli gives her much more experienced opponent no chance and finishes the tournament as number 1 outside of China. It is likely to be the start of a great career. And the days in Paris will always play a role in that.
The most beautiful sprint comes after the finish line
Hunter Woodhall wins gold in the 400 m on Friday evening with two prosthetic legs. When the American crosses the finish line, he keeps the pace high. He ignores the protocol, runs to his box and hugs his wife, who is herself beside herself with joy and then hugs everyone who doesn’t run away in time.
Hunter Woodhall wins gold in the 400 meters.
Bild: Thibault Camus / AP
Tara Davis-Woodhall is no stranger: she won the gold medal in the long jump at the Olympic Games in the Stade de France a month ago. Now the family happiness is complete.
Hats off to France!
Before the Games, the question arose whether the host nation would be able to maintain the enthusiasm of the Olympic Games. The answer is an unequivocal yes.
From bocce to blind football, wheelchair tennis and para-taekwondo to para-athletics in the Stade de France, the atmosphere is wonderful and the stadiums are extremely well attended. There are up to 80,000 fans in individual sessions. In total, almost 2.5 million tickets are sold. An eleven-day sporting festival par excellence.
The athletes are considered top athletes, the respect for their achievements is great – and the ovations correspond to this. Tony Estanguet, the OC President and three-time Olympic champion in canoeing, spoke at the opening ceremony of the “most beautiful revolution” that would take place at the Paralympics. He, his compatriots and all the international guests kept their word with great warmth. Chapeau, la France et merci.
2024-09-08 13:34:51