Five French athletes who have been pre-selected for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games were introduced to thousands of spectators at the Accor Arena in Bercy by Frédérique Jossinet, vice-president of the Federation and president of the Selection Committee, and Marie-Amélie Le Fur, president of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee.
Among the pre-selected athletes is a competitor who has only lost one match in 2023 and is aiming to win the only gold medal missing from his achievements in Paris.
At 41 years old, Sandrine Martinet has already won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics. After considering retirement, she has decided to extend her career and continue competing in the Paris Paralympic Games due to her good results and support from sponsors.
Prescillia Lézé, recent European champion, Nathan Petit, third at the European Championships in Rotterdam and fifth in the Tokyo Paralympic Games, as well as the experienced Cyril Jonard, who is a ten-time world champion, are also among the five pre-selected athletes.
According to Jossinet, the vice-president of the Federation, and president of the Selection Committee, the selection of these athletes is seen as the ideal collective. There are also plans to select more athletes early on to help them perform at their best. The final validation will be made by the French Paralympic and Sports Committee in July.
These pre-selected athletes have seven months to perfect their preparation for the Paralympic Games. This early selection has brought relief to the athletes, allowing them to compete with less stress and to gain confidence in their abilities.
