Excitement spreads as the Paralympics are about to begin

Archery at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is about to kick off.

Archers stepped onto the field on Wednesday morning for the last practice session, and competition starts on Thursday with the qualifying rounds. 

Excitement spreads across the panoramic venue at the foot of the noble Hotel des Invalides. 

“It’s incredible to be here,” said US’As Jordan White. “Being able to have the experience of shooting against such great archers at such a young age is amazing.”

The USA athlete makes his Paralympic debut in Paris aged just 15.

“Paris did a great job with the venue! I’ve never shot in a venue like this. It’s fantastic,” he claimed.

Iran’s Fatemeh Hemmati is a Games debutant, too.

“I’m so excited to be here, but also nervous,” she said frankly. “I hope it will be a good competition for me and my teams and we can get gold.”

The 21-year-old athlete captured silver at the Para-Archery World Ranking event in June, bringing a strong show-off ahead of the Paralympics.

Unlike White and Hemmati, Dorothea Poimenidou marks her third Paralympic appearance in Paris, and still the Greek couldn’t contain her excitement. 

“It’s something that I was dreaming of,” she said. “Paris is a magnificent city, and combined with the Paralympic Games it’s just perfect!”

Poimenidou, just like other archers, voiced her impressment with the venue.

“I really like it. We are very lucky that our venue is placed in the city centre, so we can see the top sights.”

“It’s so beautiful with the Hotel des Invalides behind. I had goosebumps when I saw it. It’s a very unique venue,” she added.

Selengee Demberel of Mongolia won the final qualification tournament for Paris 2024 in Dubai, in March. She medalled in the Asian Para Archery Championships last year, too, which may be the announcer of a successful performance. 

And the 34-year-old archer shares the impressions of fellow competitors.

“I’m so happy and excited to be here. I really enjoy it,” she said.

David Drahoninsky appears in Paris as one of the most experienced Paralympians. He medalled at all his previous four Paralympics.

The charismatic Czech archer will contest the mission to defend the title reached in Tokyo 2020.

“I’m so happy that I was nominated for my fifth Paralympic Games,” Drahoninsky claimed. “It’s very nice. I meet a lot of my friends, a lot of great people, and the venue is awesome.”

The local hero Guillaume Toucoullet pursues his first Paralympic medal. He collected four silvers in the last five competitions he entered in 2023 and 2024.

No wonder the Frenchman feels enthusiastic about acquiring the chance to compete in his homeland.

“It’s amazing, the place is wonderful,” the 39-year-old said. “I’m happy to participate in the Paralympic Games in Paris, in my country.”

Even though Guillaume makes the dream of most athletes to contend for a medal on home soil, he attempts to treat it as every other event.   

“I live in the South West of France, far from Paris,” he explained, for what was behind his approach. 

Even though he can expect a huge support at the stands, and his shape stirs the hope.

“My shooting looks much better than in Tokyo, so I can’t wait to shoot in the field. My friends and family are coming here. I’m very excited!”

The competition in Paris starts on Thursday with qualifying. 

Archery at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

• Thursday 29 August – qualifying
• Friday 30 August – compound eliminations
• Saturday 31 August – W1 women’s finals, compound women’s finals
• Sunday 1 September – W1 men’s finals, compound men’s finals
• Monday 2 September – W1 mixed team finals, compound mixed team finals
• Tuesday 3 September – recurve women’s finals
• Wednesday 4 September – recurve men’s finals
• Thursday 5 September – recurve mixed team finals