Paris 2024 Messages from the CEO
Day 6
Kia ora and bonjour from Paris.
It’s been a great medal day at Stade de France. First, it was Paralympian #208 William Stedman who secured silver and a new national record and PB in the 400m T36, backing up from his 4th place finish in Long Jump (just 2cm behind the medals). Will left nothing in the tank and was physically spent after his effort, and what a great effort it was – beaten only by a new world record holder.
As the sun set on Paris, it was Paralympian #195, and NZ Paralympic Team Flag Bearer Anna Grimaldi turn to step on the medal podium, sprinting to bronze in the 100m T47 in front of another roaring Stade de France crowd. What a great run to secure the NZ Paralympic Team’s fifth medal at Paris 2024. And the celebration and beaming smile showed just how excited she was to medal, also recording a new national record in the process.
Paralympian #224 Anna Steven completed the trifecta of finals appearances, stepping out in the 200m T64 and finishing in eighth place to round out a great day at the track.
In other action, Paralympians #164 Cameron Leslie and #205 Jesse Reynolds both progressed to respective finals at Paris La Defense Arena in Para swimming, and Para athlete Lili-Fox Mason made her Paralympic debut, missing the final but with more swims still ahead.
Watching on in the stands across the day was Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Ambassador to France Ambassador Bilkey, and HPSNZ Director Steve Tew, so it was great to be able to take the medal tally from 3 to 5.
Minister Bishop was also invited to present the medals at the Para swimming for the winners in the Men’s Freestyle 200m S4 event!
It was also a pleasure for PNZ Chair and President Jana Rangooni and all of PNZ to host family and friends that were able to make a BBQ with the Minister. The opportunity for everyone to be able to mix and mingle and interact with each other in an informal setting, provided the opportunity for some great connections, and an opportunity to recognise the ‘team behind the team’ – without family and friends, we wouldn’t have such a great NZ Paralympic Team. Thanks also to Ambassador Bilkey for supplying some NZ wine to ensure there was a further connection to home.
Earlier in the day, I attended a meeting with my CEO and Secretary General counterparts from the USA, Canada, Australia and Great Britain. We often connect to discuss any common challenges and learnings that we can share and opportunities to collaborate.
A good example is the close collaboration with Australia in Paris, working together on planning and logistics, and sharing accommodation locations, for example. Other examples of working with the ‘5 Eyes’ network is across our respective medical teams at the Games, who often consult, share advice and sometimes share use of key equipment. It is a strong partnership that we continue to foster, to further promote the Paralympic Movement not only in New Zealand, but globally.
It’s a busy day ahead for the NZ Paralympic Team with four Para sports taking to the field of play in search of more medals. And the final day of Minister Bishop’s visit – so hopefully he continues to bring us some medal luck along the way.
The support for the entire NZ Paralympic Team is being felt by everyone in Paris, so please keep it up, keep watching the coverage, tell your colleagues and friends, and join us in showing all of New Zealand that our NZ Paralympic Team will give them Something To Talk About.
