A historic day for military athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics

 

 

PARIS (FRA) - On the eight day of medal events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, military athletes from CISM Member Nations achieved extraordinary success, capturing multiple medals and showcasing their exceptional talents and dedication. This historic day was highlighted by several prestigious gold medals !

 

Romania triumphed in the Women’s Rowing Eight event, with Staff Sergeant Ioana Vrînceanu and 2nd Lieutenant Simona Gianina Radiș leading their team to gold with a time of 5:54.39, narrowly beating Canada. Additionally, the Italian rowing team, composed of Corporals Linda De Filippis, Alice Gnatta, Aisha Rocek, and Elisa Mondelli, achieved a commendable sixth-place finish in the Women’s Eight event.

 

Staff Sergeant Ioana Vrînceanu and 2nd Lieutenant Simona Gianina Radiș (picture: Ministeruk Apararuu Nationalen Romania)

 

In the Men's Eight, Romanian Private Mugurel Semciuc and his team finished fifth with a time of 5:30.15.

 

The Judo Mixed Team event saw a dominant performance from France, with Second-Maître Shirine Boukli, Hacene Tani, Adjudant Clarisse Agbegnenou, Matelot Joan-Benjamin Gaba, and Soldat de 1re Classe Luka Mkheidze securing gold by defeating Japan 4-3. The Brazilian Judo Mixed Team, led by Sergeant Beatriz Rodrigues de Souza, Sergeants Guilherme Cesar Schimidt, Larissa Cincinato Pimenta, Willian Chequito de Sousa e Lima, and Daniel Borges Cargnin, claimed bronze after a victory against Italy. The Italian team, composed of Corporals Odette Giuffrida, Manuel Lombardo, Veronica Toniolo, Andrea Carlino, Matteo Prias, Alice Bellandi, and Assunta Scutto, finished fifth.

 

France Mixed Team Judo (picture: Ministère des Sports)

 

In Fencing, Ukraine’s Military Reserve athletes Alina Komashuk and Yuliia Bakastova, along with their teammates, captured gold in the Women’s Sabre Team event, defeating Korea 45-42. French Aviateur Sarah-Camille Noutcha, Maréchal des Logis Manon Apithy-Brunet, and her team narrowly missed bronze, finishing fourth after a defeat against Japan 45-40 in the bronze medal match. The Italian team, featuring Corporals Michela Battiston, Irene Vecchi, and Chiare Mormile, finished seventh.

 

Italian Corporal Marta Maggetti shone in Sailing Women's Windsurfing, clinching the gold medal by outpacing Sharon Kantor from Israel, while Matelot Hélène Noesmoen from France finished seventh.

 

Military Reserve Alina Komashuk and Yuliia Bakastova from Ukraine (picture: FIE 2024 Augusto Bizzi & Eva Pavia)

 

In Track & Field, Corporal Leonardo Fabbri from Italy placed fifth in the Men’s Shot Put with a throw of 21.70m. His compatriot, Corporal Dariya Derkach, finished eighth in the Women’s Triple Jump with a leap of 14.14m. In the Mixed Relay 4x400m, 1st Private Alexander Doom from Belgium and his teammates set a national record and finished fourth with a time of 3:09.36. The Italian team, featuring Corporal Edoardo Scotti and Corporal Alice Mangione, finished sixth with a time of 3:11.84.

 

Brazilian Sergeant Beatriz Iasmim Soares Ferreira secured a bronze medal in Boxing Women’s 60kg after a close semi-final against Ireland’s Kellie Harrington.

 

In the Cycling Road Men’s Road Race, Swiss Private First Class Stefan Küng placed seventh with a total time of 6:20:50, just 1:16 behind gold medallist Remco Evenepoel.

 

Corporal Marta Maggetti (picture: CONI)

 

In Artistic Gymnastics, Nariman Kurbanov, an instructor-athlete and member of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, earned a silver medal in the Men’s Pommel Horse, scoring 15.433 points for his performance. In the same event, OF-3 Oleg Verniaiev from Ukraine placed fifth with a score of 14.966, just 0.537 points behind gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan from Ireland.

 

The French Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay swimming team, including Sergent Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, placed fourth with a time of 3:40.96.

 

Austrian OR-4 Sofia Polcanova finished fifth in Table Tennis Women’s Singles.

 

Sergeant Beatriz Iasmim Soares Ferreira (picture: Time Brasil)

 

Italian Corporal Tammaro Cassandro narrowly missed a medal in Shooting Skeet Men, finishing fourth with a score of 36.

 

Finally, in Archery, French Maréchal des Logis Lisa Barbelin won bronze in the Women’s Individual event after her victory in the bronze medal match against Korean Hunyoung Jeon, 6-4.

 

Maréchal des Logis Lisa Barbelin (picture: Gendarmerie Nationale)

 

From securing gold in rowing and judo to setting national records in track and field, our military athletes have demonstrated remarkable prowess across a diverse range of disciplines. Their successes bring honor to their respective nations and stand as a testament to the hard work and determination characteristic of military personnel. As we celebrate their historic accomplishments, we are reminded of the profound impact that discipline, resilience, and teamwork can have in the world of sports.

 

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)