the great beginnings of athletics, Alexandre Léauté in the running for two gold medals in track cycling… The events of Friday August 30

The French can aim for a few gold medals in swimming, cycling and table tennis on Friday.

Second day of competition at the Paris Paralympic Games, and already, many finals to follow, Friday August 30. On the program, in particular, the very first athletics session and competitions that will follow at the Stade de France. Many French people will have the opportunity to distinguish themselves, like Alexandre Léauté, expected in paracycling to win one or more gold medals.

The three events not to be missed: athletics, wheelchair basketball, table tennis

The show will be on the agenda from this first day of athletics with a women’s discus throwing competition for the F55 category to start. Many finals will take place, particularly in the second part of the day, with those of the men’s 5,000 m (T11) and the women’s 100 m (T35). The evening will be punctuated by the women’s club throw (F32) and several finals of the men’s 100 m (T37 and T47) and the women’s 200 m, a distance in which the Frenchwoman Mandy François-Elie (T37) will notably compete.

The French men’s wheelchair basketball team is returning to the Paralympic Games for the first time in twenty years. Following a Paralympic qualification tournament (PQT), Les Bleus have secured their ticket to compete on home soil. At the Arena de Bercy, the French will begin their group stage with a match against Canada (6:15 p.m.).

Another highlight of the day was table tennis. The most prolific discipline for France, ping pong brought 11 Paralympic medals to Tokyo in 2021. The first French medal in Paris could come from the doubles. The duo Fabien Lamirault-Julien Michaud can hope to climb to the top step of the podium.

The three Frenchmen to follow: Alexandre Léauté, Hector Denayer, Stephane Houdet

Breton Alexandre Léauté could win his first medals as early as this Friday, August 30. The five-time world champion in 2023 on the track and on the road is entered in two medal races today. First in pursuit, where he is the big favorite, then in the kilometer a few hours later in the afternoon, a discipline where he is also aiming for the medal. The first of a great sweep? In Tokyo, three years ago, Alexandre Léauté, then aged 19, won four medals in total.

In the Paris La Défense Arena pool, all eyes will be on Hector Denayer. A great hope for French swimming, he has shown constant progress in recent seasons. At 19, he can aim for the highest step of the podium.

Led by their captain Yannick Noah, the French wheelchair tennis delegation does not appear to be a great nation in the discipline at Roland-Garros. If the chances of medals are slim for the French, they will have to count on Stéphane Houdet. Flag bearer of the French delegation in Tokyo in 2021, and gold medalist in doubles with Nicolas Peifer, he begins his competition today.

The full program and the finals of the day

Fourteen finals are on the program, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:44 p.m. at Paris La Défense Arena. The 100 m will be in the spotlight in swimming with freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke. The mixed 4×50 m freestyle relay will close the day. Another medal provider, athletics will also see its first 14 gold medalists at the Stade de France.

The day promises to be a busy one at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines national velodrome. At 2:52 p.m., the final of the men’s 1,000 m time trial (C4-5) will kick off hostilities before the finals of the women’s C4 3,000 m individual pursuit (3:25 p.m.), men’s C2 (3:49 p.m.) and men’s C3 (4:26 p.m.). The final of the women’s 1,000 m time trial (B) will conclude the second day of paracycling. In table tennis, two gold medals will be decided in the women’s doubles, category WD14 at 8 p.m. and WD5 at 9 p.m. In shooting, the first medals will fall in the women’s 10m air rifle standing R2 (11:45), in the men’s 10m air pistol P1 (14:00) and in the mixed 10m air rifle standing R4 (16:15).

The taekwondo evening at the Grand Palais also offers four finals: the men’s -63 kg (9:46 p.m.), the women’s -57 kg (10:00 p.m.), the men’s -70 kg (10:14 p.m.) and the women’s -65 kg (10:28 p.m.).

On which channels can you follow the events on France Télévisions?

On France 2, from 9:30 a.m.
On France 3, from 12:55 p.m.

Broadcast times are subject to change.