Swimmer Ugo Didier collects France's first gold medal at Paris Paralympics

On the first day of the Paris Paralympic Games, the French delegation won three medals, including a gold for Ugo Didier in para-swimming. France are hoping to improve on the 11 golds they won in Japan in 2021, which placed them 14th in the medals table.

The first medals were won at the Paris Paralympics on Thursday, with swimmer Ugo Didier collecting the host nation’s first gold in euphoric scenes at La Defense Arena.

Didier, who was born with clubbed feet and reduced use of his legs, won the 400m freestyle event in the S9 category and was roared home by French supporters in a manner that brought to mind the scenes when Leon Marchand took quadruple Olympic gold.

Didier, 22, timed 4min 12.55sec to finish a second and a half ahead of Simone Barlaam of Italy.

Medals were also on offer in track cycling, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo.

In the pool, Brazilian star Gabrielzinho also won gold. The 22-year-old, who has no arms or hands and his legs are atrophied, claimed the men’s 100m backstroke S2 title.

Read moreThe 2024 Paralympics explained: How the event classification system works

(AFP)

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
Paralympics ‘have a special place in our hearts’, Australia’s governor-general tells FRANCE 24
The 2024 Paralympics explained: How the event classification system works
From Gaza to Paris: Paralympian Fadi Deeb vows to show ‘Palestine is not dying’