Alexis Hanquinquant the flashy: relive the lively day of French triathlon at the Paris Paralympic Games

Alexis Hanquinquant a survolé son sa catégorie pour décrocher un deuxième titre paralympique consécutif. MAXPPP – Nathalie Bourreau

L’équipe de France de triathlon, emmenée par son porte-drapeau Alexis Hanquinquant, a ajouté quatre médailles, dont deux d’or, à la délégation tricolore ce lundi 2 septembre.

The Alexandre III bridge, a splendid building built in 1900. A name chosen in homage to the Franco-Russian friendship at that time, hence the choice of Alexander III, the last emperor to die on his throne. Given the context, here is a suggestion: why not rename it the French Triathlon Bridge? It sounds good, it's current, it's not divisive, it's cock-a-doodle-doo… And above all, it's full of meaning.

This summer, the famous Parisian bridge was transformed into the theatre of glory for the French triathlon. Cassandre Beaugrand and Léo Bergère, respectively in gold and bronze a month ago, won the first medals for the blue triathlon at the Olympic Games. At the “Paras”, this Monday, the traditional deluges of the Parisian return were replaced by a rain of metals that came to water the French medal table. And a torrent of emotions for these athletes after years of hard work.

“I dedicate my life to these Games”

It is difficult to remain indifferent to the tears of Jules Ribstein, at the top of Olympus after long periods of doubt. “I have dedicated my life to these Games for four years. I wasn't sure of myself. I am someone who is hyper-stressed, hyper-emotional, I was afraid that it would play tricks on me. I have been taking Stilnox to sleep for a week, the pressure was at its peak. Now, I will be able to stop taking sleeping pills”, assured the 37-year-old from Strasbourg, with tears in his eyes.

A paradoxical anxiety for someone who is a four-time world champion, the big favorite in the PTS2 category, reserved for severe physical disabilities. His motorcycle accident in 2008, which forced him to have his left leg amputated at the femur, devastated him. But it propelled him to the top step of a Paralympic podium.

Alexis II sur Alexandre III

Ribstein was the first firecracker of the fireworks to come, in a morning where the spectators, failing to understand everything that was happening given the number of categories entered, had their eyes full. In his wake, the French entered in PTVI, reserved for the visually impaired and blind, were a hit. Behind the untouchable British Dave Ellis, Thibaut Rigaudeau and Antoine Pérel went for the podium (see elsewhere). The understanding with their guide, like all events open to the visually impaired, is the highlight of these Paralympics.

Then the masterstroke came to conclude a top morning for the French delegation, even if a few more medals were hoped for. Alexis Hanquinquant finished it all off with insolence, given his dominance in the PTS4. Undefeated since August 17, 2019, 27 races won in a row, six world and European champion titles, the French flag bearer is now a double Paralympic champion.

An extraordinary career for this 38-year-old Parisian. French full-contact boxing champion in 2010, he had to put away his gloves after a work accident a few months later. Result: amputation of the lower part of his right leg. The Paralympic dream quickly became obvious. It was achieved. Twice. King Hanquinquant II was crowned emperor of the para-triathlon on the Alexandre III bridge. Uh, sorry, on the French Triathlon bridge.

Hot

“I said that a second or a minute ahead of the opponents was not important. The important thing was to win. And in fact, I surprised myself on the bike, widening the gaps. I think I was on cloud nine today and it flew from A to Z.

It was a highly anticipated race. We worked a lot with Nico, my coach (Nicolas Pouleau, editor's note) on the video. The video of this course, of the climatic stress, of the psychological stress. And there you have it, today, it just rolled, quite simply.

For now, I don't see myself stopping like that. It would be a shame. I think I'm proving that I'm competitive. So I'm still hungry.”