Sports
IPC Unveils Nine-Member Refugee Team for Paris 2024 Paralympics
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on Tuesday announced the formation of a nine-member refugee team for the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympics. Comprising eight athletes and one guide runner, the team will compete in taekwondo, athletics, triathlon, powerlifting, table tennis, and wheelchair fencing.
“The world has more than 120 million forcibly displaced people worldwide,” said IPC President Andrew Parsons. “Many live in dire conditions. These athletes have persevered and shown incredible determination to get to Paris 2024 and give every refugee around the world hope.”
Among the standout athletes is Ibrahim Al Hussein, who will be competing in his third Paralympics. Al Hussein, who arrived in Greece from Syria a decade ago, is transitioning from swimming to triathlon. He acknowledged the challenges, particularly the financial burden of acquiring the necessary equipment. “Sport has helped me integrate into society,” Al Hussein remarked.
Zakia Khudadadi and Hadi Hassanzada will represent the team in parataekwondo. Khudadadi, who competed for Afghanistan at the COVID-delayed Tokyo 2021 Games shortly after being evacuated due to the Taliban takeover, and Hassanzada, who fled Afghanistan after a failed attempt to return, have overcome significant adversity. “Living in the forests of Turkey with my friends in the cold of winter, there were times when I was close to death,” Hassanzada recalled in an IPC interview. He emphasized that his journey to the Paralympics demonstrates that “refugees can succeed despite all the problems they face.”
Guillaume Junior Atangana, a sprinter who previously competed for Cameroon in Tokyo before relocating to Britain, will participate in the 100m and 400m T11 events. His training was disrupted when his guide, fellow refugee Donard Ndim Nyamjua, was injured. “Many people wanted to be on the team. So, I have had to pull out all the stops to be the best,” Atangana stated.
Salman Abbariki will compete in track and field shot put at his second Paralympics. Hadi Darvish, a refugee from Iran, found success in powerlifting after locating a gym that accepted an athlete in a wheelchair without a bank account, winning a German title in 2022 against able-bodied competitors.
The team also includes Sayed Amir Hossein Pour, an accomplished table tennis player who won Asian junior titles representing Iran, and Amelio Castro Grueso, a wheelchair fencer.
Nyasha Mharakurwa, the team’s chef de mission who represented Zimbabwe in wheelchair tennis at the London 2012 Paralympics, praised the athletes’ resilience. “No matter how difficult their circumstances, these athletes have found a way to compete at the very highest level of Paralympic sport,” Mharakurwa said. “They are not just representing the forcibly displaced people worldwide but the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities.”
The Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Paralympics will be held on August 28, taking place along the iconic Champs-Elysees and in the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
Sports
Jannik Sinner Triumphs Over Novak Djokovic to Claim Shanghai Masters Title
Sports
Coco Gauff Triumphs at China Open, Secures Eighth WTA Title
Sports
Keely Hodgkinson Wins Britain’s First Athletics Gold at Paris Olympics in 800m
Paris – In a sensational display of speed and determination, Keely Hodgkinson has clinched Great Britain’s first athletics gold medal at the Paris Olympics, winning the 800m final. The 22-year-old runner delivered an outstanding performance, crossing the finish line in a remarkable time of 1:57.62, securing her place in British sporting history.
Hodgkinson’s victory is a landmark achievement, as it marks the first time a British woman has won Olympic gold in the 800m since Kelly Holmes’ triumph in Athens 2004. The race at the Stade de France was fiercely competitive, but Hodgkinson maintained her composure and executed her strategy flawlessly. As the pack surged forward in the final lap, she made her decisive move, pulling ahead with a powerful burst of speed that left her competitors trailing.
This gold medal is a testament to Hodgkinson’s hard work and perseverance. The young athlete from Wigan has been a rising star in British athletics, and her victory in Paris solidifies her status as one of the sport’s brightest talents. Her journey to the top has been marked by steady progress and a series of impressive performances, culminating in this Olympic triumph.
Speaking after the race, Hodgkinson expressed her joy and gratitude, dedicating the win to her coaches, family, and supporters. “It’s a dream come true,” she said. “I’ve worked so hard for this moment, and to win gold for my country is just incredible.”
The win has sparked celebrations across the UK, with fans and fellow athletes hailing Hodgkinson’s achievement. As the first athletics gold for Team GB at these Games, her victory has set a high standard for the rest of the British track and field contingent.
Keely Hodgkinson’s gold medal in the 800m not only adds to Britain’s illustrious Olympic legacy but also promises a bright future for the young star in the world of athletics.
-
Business5 months ago
Saudi Arabia’s Model for Sustainable Aviation Practices
-
Business5 months ago
Recent Developments in Small Business Taxes
-
Politics5 months ago
Who was Ebrahim Raisi and his status in Iranian Politics?
-
Business3 months ago
Carrectly: Revolutionizing Car Care in Chicago
-
Business4 months ago
Saudi Arabia: Foreign Direct Investment Rises by 5.6% in Q1
-
Technology5 months ago
Comparing Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3
-
Politics5 months ago
Indonesia and Malaysia Call for Israel’s Compliance with ICJ Ruling on Gaza Offensive
-
Technology5 months ago
Recent Developments in AI Ethics in America