In 2016, the French cycling team left the Rio Paralympic Games with only one medal, the bronze, won by Martinican Joël Jeannot in the road race (category H4). Five years later, in Japan, para-cycling had become the “flagship” discipline of the French delegation: with eighteen medals, five of them gold, it had accounted for 28% of the prizes won by the Blues in Tokyo.
At the Paralympic Games in Paris, from August 28 to September 8, the ambition is “make it even better”warns Laurent Thirionet, head of performance for the French disabled cycling team. The goal? “We would like to win twenty medals and, dreaming a little, go even further”, he says, adding that the will is “Above all, finishing in first place in the national ranking, with a dozen titles”.
If he recognizes that “he is ambitious”The double Paralympic champion (individual pursuit in 2004, road time trial in 2008) nevertheless believes that “it is realistic”. “We have the athletes to achieve it”He also emphasises the recent results shown at international level, particularly in track cycling events. During the last World Championships, from 20 to 24 March in Rio, the Blues won nineteen medals, including twelve gold (five silver and two bronze). An unprecedented record.
“Today we have a real team of track runners.says Laurent Thirionet. Before we only had truck drivers. [cyclistes disputant des épreuves sur route] who were doing some work on the trail. This is how France finished in 25th place in 2016my place. We didn’t really have a structure or a development project at that time. »
A full staff
A turning point came in 2017, when the organisation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games was awarded to Paris. Created in 2019, the National Sports Agency (ANS), based on a collaboration between the State, the sports movement and local authorities, has developed a programme aimed at strengthening the performance of French sport with a view to Paris 2024. Human and financial resources are at stake.
For paracyclists, this has translated in particular into “the payment by the ANS of part of the athletes’ salariesexplains Mathieu Jeanne, coach of the French national team. This allowed them to free up training days and better dedicate themselves to their sport.”. The French national team has also invested heavily in management and logistical resources. Today, the French team has a full team of stewards, mental trainers, physiotherapists, osteopaths and doctors. It also has its own truck, which is essential for transporting bicycles.
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