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Paris 2024: De La Forest wins first Paralympic gold, and the hearts of a nation
Frenchman takes his first Paralympic medals with gold and silver in front of the home crowd in his sixth Games participation, South Korea tops the medal table as shooting Para sport action concludes at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre 06 Sep 2024
South Korea finished top of the medal table at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre at Paris 2024, but the spotlight was on Tanguy De La Forest for much of the seven-day competition.
The Frenchman carried the expectations of the host nation and he was equal to the challenge, ending his personal medal drought that dated back to Athens 2004.
Competing at his sixth Paralympic Games, De La Forest took silver in the R4 mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 event.
He then went one better, securing gold in the R5 mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2 amid cheers of "Tanguy, Tanguy, Tanguy" from the stands.
“It is better than a dream. It is perfect," said De La Forest, who is a former Secretary General of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee and a member of the Organising Committee for Paris 2024.
His gold medal was only the second for a host nation in the Paralympic Games this century, and the first since China at Beijing 2008.
Among the 13 medal events in the shooting Para sport competition, 'Pistol Queen' Sareh Javanmardi of Iran took her third consecutive gold in the P2 - women’s 10m air pistol SH1, after which she announced she was ready to hang up her weapons.
“I want to retire now,’’ the Iranian said. “I think I will train my child to follow my lead.”
Jinho Park won two gold medals to lead Korea to top spot in the medal table with three golds, one silver and two bronze.
“My wife, she has sacrificed so much," Park said after winning gold in the R1 men's 10m air rifle standing SH1. "I have not seen her and my family very much in the last year as I prepared for the Paralympic Games. I will award this medal to my wife and my family.”
Quote of the Games
“My rifle is called Black Knight and my pistol is just pistol. She (her rifle) has had a few things changed with her, but at the end of the day it is simplicity. You have to do what is comfortable for you. She is on point, so I do not have to change anything," Neelam O'Neill of New Zealand said.
Click below to find out more about shooting Para sport at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games:
Paris 2024 shooting day one review
Paris 2024 shooting day two review
Paris 2024 shooting day three review
Paris 2024 shooting day four review
Paris 2024 shooting day five review
