Akeem Stewart will be the lone athlete representing T&T at the Paralympic Games in Paris, France, from August 28 to September 8.
The two-time medallist at the Paralympics will compete in one event, the men’s discus F64 competition, a merged class at the Paris Games, which will feature some 4,400 athletes from around the world. They will compete in 22 sports across various iconic venues in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Chateau de Versailles, and the Grand Palais.
This is the second Paralympic Games for Stewart of Tobago. At his first Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he clinched gold in the javelin F44 as well as silver in the discus F44.
T&T had no athletes at the virus-delayed Tokyo 2020 Games, held in Japan in 2021.
Stewart enters his second Paralympic Games with a wealth of success. He set new F43 world records in both the javelin and shot put on his way to victory at the 2017 World Championships in London, England.
In the shot put event, Stewart added a spectacular 4.87 metres to the record set by Germany’s Jorg Frischmann back in 1996, as he finished more than three meters clear of his rivals with a best of 19.08 m.
In 2015, Stewart became the first athlete from T&T to finish at the top of the podium at the Parapan Am Games. Stewart won two gold medals at the event in Toronto, Canada, setting what were then new world records in the javelin (53.36 m) and discus (63.03 m) (F43). He went on to win discus bronze at the Doha 2015 World Championships two months later.
The Team TTO Paralympic delegation also included Chef de Mission Micky Ruben and Wade Franklin, the coach.
About the Paris Paralympics
For the first time, the Paralympic Opening Ceremony will be held outside of a stadium. Athletes will parade through the iconic Avenue des Champs-Elysees to the Place de la Concorde. An expected 65,000 spectators will get to witness this historic moment, which highlights the host city’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
The medals for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games feature a piece of original iron from the Eiffel Tower. Designed to be distinguished by touch, they include engravings and braille. The medals were created in collaboration with the French jeweller Chaumet, linking sport with French cultural heritage.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics will make history as the first summer games in France and have already led to positive changes in the host country. For example, overground transportation in Paris has become more accessible.
