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≡ PARIS 2024 ≡
The 2024 Paralympic Games triathlon events went off in Paris on Monday after a one-day’s delay to assure better water quality in the Seine River.
All 11 events were held, with the home fans cheering the repeat victory of France’s Alain Hanquinquant, 38, in the men’s PTS4 classification over Carson Clough of the U.S. The French fans also celebrated a win for Jules Ribstein in the PTS2 class over the U.S.’s Mohamed Lahna and Mark Barr.
The U.S. scored three wins, with Chris Hammer in the men’s PTS5 class, and women’s winners Hailey Danz (PTS2) and Grace Norman (PTS5).
(“PTS” classes are for Para Triathlon Standing, with the athletes using prosthetics. The classes PTS2 through PTS5 defining the level of impairment, with PTS2 the most impaired and PTS5 the least impaired.)
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The amazing Matt Stutzman, 41, one of the best-known U.S. Paralympians, won the men’s Compound archery title in a tight, 149-147 finals match against China’s Xinliang Ai. Stutzman is armless and shoots with his feet, was tied after the first end, 30-30, and at 89-89 after three.
But he won the final two ends, 30-29 each for the two-point win. It’s Stutzman’s first Paralympic gold – his fourth Paralympics – after finishing second at the London 2012 Paralympics.
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Tragedy for Italy’s Giacomo Perini in the rowing PR1 Single Sculls final (use of arms and shoulders only), where he finished third, but was disqualified for having his mobile phone in the boat!
The World Rowing statement included:
“In the final of the PR1 men’s singles, the Italian athlete was found to be using communications equipment during the race, in violation of rule 28 and Appendix R2, Bye-Law of rule 28.”
Perini said he did not use the phone for communications and was on the boat by accident, in a bag with a bottle of water. Since the rule penalizes communications – not having a phone – he appealed, but was rejected. The Italian team plans an appeal to the World Rowing board.
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At the halfway mark – six days complete, six to go – of the XVII Paralympic Games, China leads with 87 total medals:
● 1. 87, China (43-30-14)
● 2. 54, Great Britain (29-15-10)
● 3. 42, United States (13-19-10)
● 4. 38, Brazil (12-8-18)
● 5. 34, France (11-10-13)
The same top three countries won 207-124-104 medals at Tokyo 2020. The Paralympics continue through Sunday.
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With Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo directing that the Olympic Rings will remain on the Eiffel Tower for some time to come, the International Paralympic Committee is asking for its symbol – the three agitos – to remain on the Arc de Triomphe or elsewhere. IPC spokesman Craig Spence (GBR) said at a news conference:
“The agitos looks very impressive on the Arc de Triomphe. It probably won’t stay there for long, but with the debate about whether the [Olympic] Rings will stay on the [Eiffel] Tower or somewhere else, let’s not forget that we are talking about two major sporting events: the Olympics and Paralympics. I would very much like to see a place where the agitos could stay in the city.
“During all our Games, we look at how the agitos can leave a legacy. In particular, our cooperation with the Tokyo government has resulted in many agitos being left in the Japanese capital as reminders of the wonderful Games. So I would like to point out that during the debate about where the Rings should be, we should not forget about the agitos, because the Paralympic Games were held here too.”
The agitos were installed on the Arc on 28 June and each of the three measures seven meters in height and three meters wide, with a total, installed size of 12 m wide and 9 m high. It’s the first emblem to ever be mounted on the monument.
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