The 2024 Paris Paralympics are in full swing, showcasing extraordinary performances from athletes around the globe. Mexican swimmer Ángel Camacho, 19, clinched bronze in the 100 meters freestyle S4 category with a time of 1:22.32 minutes, adding to his bronze from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. This marks Mexico’s third medal in the Games.In a historic moment, Russian swimmer Andrey Kalina became the first Russian athlete to win gold at these Paralympics, triumphing in the 100m breaststroke SB8 class with a time of 1:09.02. Russian athletes, competing under neutral status, have accumulated eight medals so far.Ukrainian swimmer Alexander Komarov set a new Paralympic record in the 100-meter freestyle, securing gold with a time of 1:07.77. Ukraine has already amassed eight medals, including Natalia Kobzar’s silver in the 200-meter dash T37 class.Brazilian sprinter Petrúcio Ferreira, known as the world’s fastest Paralympic athlete, claimed his third consecutive gold in the 100m T47 event, finishing in 10.68 seconds. This victory cements his status as a triple Paralympic champion in this event.The Games have also seen notable performances from other countries. Colombian athlete Crispín Corzo won silver in the 200 meters combined SM6 event, setting a record for the Americas. French cyclist Alexandre Leauté clinched gold in the para-cycling pursuit individual event, breaking the world record.Despite the athletic triumphs, some spectators expressed disappointment with the Paralympic opening ceremony, feeling it lacked inclusivity compared to the Olympic ceremony. However, the Games continue to inspire, with 35,000 spectators attending on the second day, creating an electric atmosphere.
Key points
- The 2024 Paris Paralympics are underway with athletes from various countries winning medals and setting new records.
- Mexican swimmer Ángel Camacho and Brazilian sprinter Petrúcio Ferreira are among the standout performers, each winning medals in their respective events.
- Despite athletic achievements, some spectators expressed disappointment with the Paralympic opening ceremony’s inclusivity.
