We take a look at some of the leading contenders for track and field gold in the French capital at the 2024 Games
Hannah Cockroft GBR
Age: 32 • Events: T34 100m and 800m
The seven-time Paralympic champion will be competing at her fourth consecutive Games, following her victories in London, Rio and Tokyo.Â
Ezra Frech (Getty)
Ezra Frech USA
Age: 19 • Events: T63 High Jump, Long Jump & 100m
The American teenager underlined his high jumping talent when he shattered the men’s T63 high jump world record with a 1.95m leap at the 2023 World Championships, where he claimed the gold medal.
Thomas Young (Getty)
Thomas Young GBR
Age: 24 • Event: T38 100m
The Briton made a remarkable entry into para-sport in 2018, securing double gold in the T38 100m and 200m at the European Championships. Just a year later, he added a World Championship silver to his collection, before achieving the pinnacle of success as the Paralympic champion in Tokyo.
Fleur Jong (Getty)
Fleur Jong NED
Age: 28 • Events: T62
Long Jump and 100m
In 2023, she shattered the world record in the women’s T62 long jump while jumping 6.74m, while also setting a world record of 12.46 in the 100m.
Timothee Adolphe FRA
Age: 34 • Event: T11 100m
With the home crowd behind him, the vision-impaired Frenchman will be more determined than ever to win his first Paralympic gold after earning silver in Tokyo.
Aled Davies (Getty)
Aled Davies GBR
Age: 33 • Event: F63 Shot Put
When it comes to throwing, Aled Davies is the one to beat. His latest triumph came at the World Championships in Kobe, where he claimed his 10th gold medal with a throw of 15.60m.
Catherine Debrunner (LM Events)
Catherine Debrunner SWI
Age: 29 • Events: 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m and the marathon
With five World Championships gold medals to her name, the Swiss athlete will be eager to dominate on the track and retain her 400m T53 title.
Zac Shaw, Jonnie Peacock, Sophie Hahn and Sammi Kinghorn (Getty)
Sophie Hahn GBR
Age: 27 • Event: T38 100m
After equalling her own world record in the heats in Tokyo, Hahn went on to claim gold for Great Britain in 2021. She will have her 12.38 world record in her sights in Paris, having run 12.55 at the London Diamond League in July.
Sumit Antil IND
Age: 26 • Event: F64 Javelin
As India sends its largest-ever contingent to the Paralympics, all eyes are on Sumit Antil, a true icon in Indian para sports. Antil is the reigning Paralympic and world champion in the men’s javelin F64 category, consistently proving himself on the global stage.Â
Ambra Sabatini (Getty)
Ambra Sabatini ITA
Age: 22 • Event: T63 100m
Ambra Sabatini blasted her way into the history books in 2023 as the first woman with an above-the-knee amputation to run the 100m in under 14 seconds.
» This is an edited version of a feature which is available in the latest issue of AW magazine. To buy a copy click here
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