There’s a French expression that’s been bandied about a few times in Paris over the last few weeks and that’s La fête continue… The party goes on! And that was the general attitude to the Paralympic Games which kicked off in the French capital last evening: We’ll simply pick up the party and fantastically festive atmosphere where we left off at the end of the Olympic Games just over a fortnight ago.
Like with the Olympics, the Paralympic opening ceremony didn’t take place in a stadium but rather at Place de la Concorde in the heart of the city – a choice of venue International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons likened to a warm embrace.
“To us, it is like Paris is giving a gigantic hug to the Paralympic athletes,” he said.
“When you hug someone, you’re getting closer to the person and this is accepting the person like he or she is. This is our interpretation of this ceremony. We are being welcomed to Paris, at the very heart of the city.”
International Paralympic Committee President, Andrew Parsons
“The organising committee created the concept of the Opening Ceremonies outside the stadium. They were clear they wanted the Olympic one on the river, but they and we wanted something different for the Paralympic one,” continued Parsons.
“We want things on the same concept or level, but different. We want to tell our own story.”
There will be plenty of exceptional stories told over the next 12 days of competition, tales of bravery and resolve, of epic glory and desperate disappointment as the Games unfold.
Team South Africa is made up of a group of 32 athletes in Paris with several medal prospects among them.
By far the most experienced is equestrian athlete Philippa Johnson-Dwyer who will be competing at an incredible sixth Paralympic Games. Now 49 years old, Johnson-Dwyer is also among the most decorated, having claimed two silvers at Athens 2004 and two gold medals at Beijing 2008 in Para-dressage.
Also among the more experienced is multiple doubles Grand Slam champion KG Montjane, who will be competing in her fifth Games in wheelchair tennis, while the highly decorated Louzanne Coetzee will be looking to add to the silver and bronze she won in the T11 1500m and marathon in Tokyo three years ago.
Meanwhile, aiming to make her mark on the Paralympic stage at her second Games is Simoné Kruger who holds the current world record in the T38 discus for athletes with cerebral palsy.
“I’m really confident heading into the competition at the moment,” said an excited Kruger after arriving in Paris.
“My main goal heading into Paris is definitely to win the gold and get the world record, but on the day what will happen is God’s plan and I can only do 100 per cent, give my everything in the circle and then whatever happens it’s God’s plan.”
SA World T38 Discuss Record Holder, Simoné Kruger
“I’m not really sure what distance is going to take gold because the competition has been stronger every single time that I’ve competed, so maybe a 39m but we don’t know because the competition gets better every single time,” added the Pretoria thrower whose current world record set at the World Championships earlier this year stands at 38.82m.
Swimmer Alani Ferreira is competing at her third Paralympics and can’t wait to step up on the blocks.
“The 100m breaststroke is going to be the highlight for me,” she reckoned. “I really do love racing, there’s nothing better than getting that burning feeling behind the block, just that adrenaline rush, it’s incredible so I’m really excited to race.
“I also love seeing my teammates, I love seeing all of my competitors and international friends that I sometimes only get to see every four years, so there are so many things to look forward to in the Games.
“I heard the chocolate muffins are incredible,” added Ferreira with a laugh. “I haven’t had one yet. I’m waiting till I’m done racing, but definitely I must say the highlight is the racing for me, especially my 100 breast.”
Ferreira was in a race against time to recover from knee surgery in December and then sprained both her ring fingers in the gym at Team SA’s training camp in Montpellier just before heading to Paris. But the visually impaired swimmer is confident she will be good to go when it’s time to dive in.
“My main goal in Paris is to definitely do personal best times. 100 per cent I want to make that final for the woman’s 100 breaststroke in the SB12, and I am setting my sights high on getting a podium finish… there’s some big stuff that I’m hoping to achieve. It’s definitely going to be a tall ask but I feel like I’m ready to push myself and may as well give it a go, you never know what can happen.”
SA Para Aquatics Star, Alani Ferreira
As for the current vibe in Team SA on the eve of the Games, Ferreira reckoned: “Team SA is a special one. There really has been a lot of heart and soul put into this team and I think it’s being reciprocated by the athletes.
“We really are doing the mindset of ‘this is for my country’ so everyone is just going to be giving their all. There’s so much support and love from everyone whether you play the same sport or not. It feels like home in all honesty…”
“I think Team SA is easily the best team here. I could be a little biased but I think we’re definitely the best.”
The Paralympic Games in Paris run from 28 August to 8 September.
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere, with editing by gsport
Photo Caption: Team South Africa made a bold and proud entrance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in Paris last night picked up and continued the festive atmosphere at Place de la Concorde in the heart of the French capital on Wednesday, 28 August, 2024. Photo: Team SA / Roger Sedres
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