**Paris 2024: A Review of the World Records Shattered in Paris**

 **Paris 2024: World Records Shattered Across the Board**

08 Sep 2024

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games witnessed a spectacular display of athletic prowess, with over 40 world records falling in Para athletics alone. From thrilling sprints to incredible jumps, the Stade de France and other venues were abuzz with historic moments.

American Para athlete Jaydin Blackwell made a stunning debut, setting a new world record in the men’s 100m T38 with a time of 10.64 seconds, surpassing his own previous record by 0.08 seconds. He triumphed over countryman Ryan Medrano and Colombia’s Juan Alejandro Campas Sanchez. Reflecting on his performance, Blackwell said, “It felt like it was a bit slow. When I saw 10.64 on the screen, I thought, ‘OK, alright, let’s go.’”

Australia’s Vanessa Low, competing in her fourth Paralympics, extended her world record in the women’s long jump T61 to 5.45 meters. After setting the new record on 5 September, Low shared, “Starting the jump with a smile was the key. Anything done with a happy mindset is done better. I felt at home.”

In the pool at La Defense Arena, Italian swimmer Simone Barlaam set a new world record in the men’s 50m freestyle S9, finishing in 23.90 seconds, 0.06 seconds faster than his previous record. Barlaam also secured three gold medals and a silver at his second Paralympic Games. 

Brazil’s Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo made waves in the men’s 150m individual medley SM2, breaking the world record twice with times of 3:15.06 in the heats and 3:14.02 in the final.

Para powerlifting saw Nigerian athlete Onyinyechi Mark making history by breaking the world record twice in a single session. On 6 September, she set a new mark with a 147kg lift in her final regular attempt, followed by a 150kg lift, earning her gold. “I’m here today to win, I did it; I’m so happy,” she exclaimed.

Fellow Nigerian Folashade Oluwafemiayo also set a new record in the women’s over 86kg category with a lift of 167kg, breaking her own record twice during the competition. “The first lift gave me the confidence to go for more,” she said.

In track cycling at the National Veldrome, the Netherlands’ Caroline Groot set a world record in the qualifying round of the women’s C5 500m time trial and won the first gold medal of Paris 2024. French cyclist Alexandre Leaute set a world record in the men’s C2 3000m individual pursuit, claiming one of his two golds in front of a cheering home crowd. “The fans pushed me on. They really helped me win this gold medal,” Leaute said.

World records also fell in Para rowing, highlighting the diverse array of extraordinary performances at Paris 2024.