Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei was honored by spectators at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Cheptegei tragically passed away after being set on fire by her partner, in a heinous act of violence. The champion athlete had competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics last month.
During the ceremony, French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre set the stage for a dazzling light show as athletes, volunteers, and spectators came together to celebrate the achievements of the Paralympians. Moroccan athlete Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi set a new world record for the women’s marathon for runners with visual impairments, completing the 42-kilometer course in 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 36 seconds. Nigerian powerlifter Folashade Oluwafemiayo also broke her own world record in women’s para powerlifting by lifting 167 kilograms above her chest, earning another gold medal in the final for women over 86 kg.
China emerged as the dominant force at the Paralympics, securing 94 gold medals and a total of 220 medals overall. Great Britain followed with 49 gold medals, while the United States took home 105 medals in total. Host nation France performed admirably, finishing eighth in the medal table with 19 gold medals out of their total of 75.
The event was not only a celebration of athletic achievement but also a time to remember the late Rebecca Cheptegei, whose memory was honored by a minute’s applause and a touching tribute at the ceremony. Cheptegei’s tragic death serves as a sobering reminder of the pervasive issue of gender-based violence that continues to affect individuals worldwide.
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