Switzerland Secures Double Gold in Wheelchair Marathon at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
On the concluding day of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Switzerland achieved a remarkable triumph by securing gold medals in both the men’s and women’s wheelchair marathons. Catherine Debrunner, 29, emerged victorious in the women’s event, celebrating her marathon win after an impressive campaign that included four gold medals from track events and a silver in the T53 100 meters. “I am extremely exhausted but very happy,” Ms. Debrunner stated. “Winning this marathon means everything to me because to end this Paralympics with this is really something special.” In the men’s competition, Marcel Hug, aged 38, dominated the race, finishing a substantial distance ahead of his closest competitor, Hua Jin of China, by a margin of three minutes and 40 seconds. This victory helped Mr. Hug redeem what had been a less successful series of events on the track earlier in the games. Meanwhile, the Netherlands claimed the women’s wheelchair basketball title for the second consecutive time with a convincing 63-49 victory over the United States, led by Bo Kramer, who scored 23 points along with 12 rebounds. This triumph marked a significant milestone for the Dutch team, who thwarted the American squad from reclaiming the title they last held during the 2016 Rio Games. Following the conclusion of the games, the final medal standings saw China leading with an impressive count of 94 golds, followed by Great Britain with 49, and the United States with 36. The Netherlands accrued a total of 27 gold medals, placing them fourth. The closing ceremony, held at the Stade de France, featured an extravagant hour-long musical set, led by the renowned electronic music artist Jean-Michel Jarre. The ceremony not only celebrated the athletes’ achievements but also signified the transition of attention from Paris to Los Angeles, which is scheduled to host the next Summer Games in 2028. Amidst the celebrations, a moment of silence was observed in honor of Rebecca Cheptegei, the Ugandan marathon runner who tragically passed away earlier in the week.
In summary, the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games showcased exceptional athleticism and resilience, concluding with touching tributes, compelling competitions, and celebratory ceremonies, underscoring the spirit of the Paralympic movement.
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