The athletes from the Alpes-Maritimes involved in wheelchair basketball, para-triathlon, para-rowing, and para-swimming competitions experienced moments of great intensity. While some came close to the podium, others had to settle for places of honor. Here is a recap of their performances.
The ordeal of the French team in wheelchair basketball
The French wheelchair basketball team, led by Christophe Carlier, faced a difficult tournament in Bercy. After their opening match against Canada (losing 68-83), they struggled to raise their game against formidable teams. They lost to Germany (72-64) and were overwhelmed by Great Britain (85-50), seeing their medal hopes crumble in the quarter-finals against the United States (82-47). The placement games were not much kinder, with losses to the Netherlands (72-63) and Spain (72-57). France finished in 8th place, without a win, in a grueling tournament.
A top 10 finish for Geoffrey Wersy in para-triathlon
The para-triathlon events, disrupted by bad weather, saw Geoffrey Wersy compete in the PTS2 category. Initially scheduled for Sunday, the event was postponed due to the quality of the Seine’s water. The Nice triathlete finished in 7th place, benefiting from a disqualification to improve his ranking. Despite his ambition to achieve a top 5 finish, Wersy was unable to compete with stiff competition. His compatriot, Jules Ribstein, shone by winning gold.
A bronze medal for Candyce Chafa in para-rowing
The team including Candyce Chafa secured a fine bronze medal in para-rowing for France. In the PR3 category final, the French team met expectations. After qualifying by finishing second in their series, they resisted German pressure to secure a win by six hundredths of a second. This medal adds to the achievements of this talented team, already bronze medalists in Tokyo in 2020.
2 legends and 1 rising star in para-swimming
David Smétanine, a veteran of the Paralympic Games, bid farewell to competition during the 50-meter freestyle. At 49 years old, the Antibes swimmer did not reach the final, finishing 11th overall. His career concludes with 9 Paralympic medals, but this tournament did not offer a new accolade.
Agathe Pauli, a promising swimmer from the Antibes para-swimming club, left her mark on these Games. As a finalist in the 400-meter freestyle S9, she held her own against the best, finishing in 6th place with a new personal record. Building on her performances at the Madeira world championships, she confirms her status as a French hopeful in this discipline. Although she remained distant from the medals, her progress suggests a bright future.
Élodie Lorandi, a multiple Paralympic medalist, struggled at these Games. At 35, the Cannes swimmer did not reach the final of the 100-meter freestyle, and finished 6th in the 400-meter freestyle. Supposed to compete one last time in the 200-meter individual medley, she was forced to withdraw due to medical advice. Despite her impressive record, these Games ended on a bitter note, without a medal for the athlete who lit the flame at the opening ceremony.
