“I even think that it will go further than sport, with much stronger inclusion,” said the double Paralympic triathlon gold medalist on Monday on franceinfo.
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“Paris 2024 is the start of a real societal shift” on the issue of disability, welcomed on Monday September 2 on franceinfo, from the Club France, the now double Paralympic gold medalist in triathlon, and flag bearer of the French delegation for these Paralympic Games, Alexis Hanquinquant.
“It’s a general awareness and it’s thanks to sport that we’re going to save a lot of time,” he said, referring to the Paris Paralympic Games which “will inevitably be a window of opportunity to inspire vocations”. “I even think it will go further than sport, with much stronger inclusion.”
“Difference, ultimately, exists everywhere. Here, we talk about handicap but we are all handicapped somewhere in our lives.”
Alexis Hanquinquant, flag bearer and double Paralympic gold medaliston franceinfo
Alexis Hanquinquant also spoke about his gold medal, won on Monday morning in the triathlon event (PTS4). “I wanted gold, so I’m glad I have it around my neck”he began.
“The thought I had before the start of this competition was whether I was ready to take on this role of flag bearer.”he added. “I knew it would add pressure, extra fatigue,” according to him. “But frankly, for me these are magnificently successful games. Flag bearer, lighting the cauldron, gold medal around the neck, if I had known at the time, I think I would have signed straight away.”