CITY OF SYDNEY NEWS • PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

Making their community proud – on the biggest stage

7 September 2024

by Aksel Ritenis

Written by Aksel Ritenis

Making their community proud – on the biggest stage

Welcome to day 8, Sports Enthusiast!

Every athlete represents not just themselves, but a community, as Australia’s First Nations athletes and France’s Nantenin Keita share below. Day 8 will feature history being made in goalball with a first-time winner when Ukraine faces Japan in the men’s final. We’ll say au revoir to Para archery with the team finals and bonjour to Para judo.

Australian teenager Telaya Blacksmith in action in Paris. ©Paralympics Australia

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NATIONS ATHLETES MAKING AN IMPACT

Inspired by Cathy Freeman, runner Telaya Blacksmith is one of four Aboriginal Australian athletes leading the way in their communities. Another First Nations team member, Amanda Reid, won gold in Para cycling and hopes to influence more Indigenous people to get involved in sport.

GET TO KNOW THEM

Colourful design with the mascot of the Paralympic Games on the right. The text in the centre reads 'Where to watch. Click here to find out'.

GET READY FOR A GOALBALL SHOWDOWN

One of the two sports unique to the Paralympics, goalball, is among the highlights of day 8 with finals in the men’s and women’s tournaments. Para archery wraps up with a mixed team final, while it is just the beginning for Para judo, featuring France’s own Sandrine Martinet.

PLAN YOUR DAY

Nantenin Keita of France celebrates after winning bronze in the Women's 100m - T13 Final at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. ©Julian Finney/Getty Images

NANTENIN KEITA RELISHES HOME GAMES

France’s flagbearer in the Opening Ceremony, Keita is already a four-time Paralympic medallist in Para athletics, but competing at home will carry special meaning for her. Can she rebound from her Tokyo 2020 fourth place finish for a once-in-a-lifetime medal on home soil?

CHEER HER ON

Colourful design with the mascot of the Paralympic Games on the left. The text in the centre reads 'Check out the medals table here'.

Daniel Molina of Team Spain celebrates winning during the Men's PTS3 Para Triathlon on day five of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. ©Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

DANIEL MOLINA ENDS 20 YEARS OF HURT

It was worth the wait for the Spanish triathlete, who became Paralympic champion two decades after competing at Athens 2004. Learn the incredible journey of the 49-year-old Molina, who switched sports and was sidelined for four Paralympic Games before winning gold to top off a stellar career.

TO HIS STORY

Worldwide Paralympic Partners: AB InBev, Airbnb, Alibaba Group, Allianz, Atos, Bridgestone, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Intel, Omega, Ottobock, Panasonic, P&G, Samsung, Toyota, Visa

Image credits:

Paralympics Australia, Alexandre Battibugli/IPC, Julian Finney/Getty Images, Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

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Aksel Ritenis

Publisher and Custodian of the Sydney Times

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