Athletics: Newbies Shining On The Paris 2024 Paralympics Podium

Paris 2024 was a landmark moment for many athletes with intellectual impairments, as numerous Paralympic newcomers not only experienced their debut but also climbed the podium in triumph. Competing in four events—T20 400m, T20 Long Jump, F20 Shot Put, and T20 1500m—80 athletes (33 men and 47 women) made their mark on the world stage. These athletes not only enjoyed their first Paralympic Games but some dazzled with extraordinary performances, cementing their status as champions. Let’s celebrate the unforgettable feats of these athletes who captured hearts and medals alike.

1. Aysel Önder (TUR) – Silver in Women’s T20 400m

Aysel Önder of Turkey set the track ablaze, becoming the first athlete from her country to compete in the T20 400m at the Paralympics. She broke the world record in the heats, eventually securing a silver in the finals. This was the crown on an already dazzling year—Önder also claimed gold at the 2024 Virtus World Indoor Athletics Championships and set a stunning world record in the 400m. From smashing records in Kobe to winning five golds in Uppsala, her meteoric rise culminated in Paris, where she left a lasting legacy for Turkish athletics.

2. Deepthi Jeevanji (IND) – Bronze in Women’s T20 400m

Deepthi Jeevanji etched her name into history as India’s first Paralympian with an intellectual impairment. Her sensational bronze in the T20 400m, with a time of 55.82 seconds, was more than just a personal victory—it marked India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in this category. Having already won silver at the 2023 Virtus Global Games and gold at Kobe, Deepthi’s performance in Paris sparked national pride. The Telangana government recognized her feat with a generous reward, making her an inspiration to aspiring athletes in India, offering her Rs.1 crore, i.e., £89000 cash reward, a Group-II job, and 500 square yards of land in Warangal for Deepthi Jeevanji.

3. Yovanni Philippe (MRI) – Bronze in Men’s T20 400m

Mauritius rejoiced as Yovanni Philippe earned the nation’s first-ever Paralympic medal with his bronze in the men’s 400m T20. Competing in his Paralympic debut, Yovanni had previously bagged bronze at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe.

The Minister of Sports of Malaysia, Stephan Toussaint, expressed his joy in following the athletes during the games, praising them as role models for the youth of Mauritius. He emphasized the importance of continuing their efforts towards winning gold in Los Angeles 2028. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth commended the athletes for making the nation proud, highlighting their courage, resilience, discipline, and determination. He gave special recognition to Yovanni Philippe for his historic achievement and acknowledged the other athletes for reaching seven finals. Yovanni was also awarded 1.5 Million Mauritian rupees, i.e., approximately £24000 by the Mauritian government for achieving this remarkable feat. The Prime Minister also praised the modern infrastructure at Côte-d’Or for its positive impact and awarded Rs 600,000 to the national coach, Jean-Marie Bhugeerathee, emphasizing the importance of good leadership.

4. Ben Sandilands (GBR) – Gold in Men’s T20 1500m

At just 21 years old, Ben Sandilands from Scotland took the Paralympic stage by storm, breaking a long-standing world record in the Men’s 1500m T20. His gold medal performance, where he finished more than four seconds ahead of his competitors, solidified his place as one of Britain’s brightest athletic talents. Ben’s stellar debut continued Scotland’s tradition of dominance in this event, following in the footsteps of Owen Miller, Tokyo’s gold medalist.

5. Keyla Da Silva Barros (BRA) – Bronze in Women’s T20 1500m

Brazilian middle-distance runner Keyla Da Silva Barros proved that adversity can be the ultimate motivator. Overcoming injuries, she broke her own American record in the T20 1500m to claim bronze at the Paris 2024 Games, becoming the first Paralympic medalist from her home state of Piauí.

Although Keyla Da Silva Barros made her debut as an athlete at the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, it wasn’t her first experience on the Paralympic stage. In the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, she served as a guide runner for fellow Brazilian Para athlete Edneusa de Jesus Santos Dorta. During her time as a guide, Keyla encountered challenges in understanding technical instructions and race strategies, which led her colleagues to suggest that she undergo a diagnosis for intellectual impairment. The diagnosis confirmed her eligibility for the T20 classification, and by 2023, Keyla was already competing under this classification.

6. Zileide Cassiano da Silva (BRA) – Silver in T20 Women’s Long Jump

Brazil’s Zileide Cassiano da Silva dazzled in the T20 Long Jump, securing silver with a powerful leap that highlighted her immense talent. A trailblazer from an early age, Zileide’s transition to Paralympic sport only in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable. Zileide was diagnosed with intellectual disability at the age of six. She discovered the Paralympic sport with the encouragement of a coach from his city. She began to compete for the long jump in regional competitions in the interior of São Paulo. She continues to redefine limits, both for herself and for Brazilian athletics.

7. John Sebastian Obando Asprilla (COL) – Gold in Men’s T20 400m, Bronze in Men’s T20 Long Jump

Colombia’s towering para-athlete John Sebastian Obando Asprilla (6’7.5”) made his Paralympic debut unforgettable. After dominating in South America, he claimed a brilliant gold in the Men’s T20 400m and bronze in the Men’s T20 Long Jump in Paris. With a standout year that included podium finishes at the Kobe 2024 Championships, Asprilla became one of Colombia’s premier Paralympic stars, showcasing both his physical prowess and undeniable charisma on the world stage.

Last year, Jhon also won the gold in the II1 Long Jump and silver in the II1 400m, 2023 Virtus Global Games.

8. Matvei Iakushev (NPA) – Gold in T20 Men’s Long Jump

Matvei Iakushev stole the show with a sensational 7.51m jump on his last attempt, claiming gold and shocking the competition, toppling a two-time Malaysian champion and asserting his dominance in the event. His jaw-dropping performance in Paris was the pinnacle of his career, elevating him to a hero’s status in para-athletics.

These Paralympic newcomers exemplified what it means to not only compete but to triumph against the odds, making their countries proud and lighting the path for future champions. Paris 2024 was more than just a debut for these athletes—it was the beginning of legacies.