Military athletes shine on first day of medal events at the Paris 2024 Olympics

PARIS (FRA) – After a wonderful Opening Ceremony, on the first day of medal events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, military athletes from CISM Member Nations showcased their prowess across various disciplines, earning several podium finishes and setting records.

In cycling, the Individual Time Trial for men saw Private First-Class Stefan Kueng from Switzerland secure an impressive 8th place with a total time of 37:47.67, just 1:35.51 behind gold medalist Remco Evenepoel from Belgium.

The fencing events brought notable performances, particularly in the men's individual sabre, where Corporal Luigi Samele of Italy clinched the bronze medal after a thrilling 15-12 victory over Egypt's Ziad Elsissy. In the women's individual épée, Ukraine's military reserve athletes, Vlada Kharkova and OF-2 Olena Kryvytska, finished 7th and 8th, respectively.

Corporal Luigi Samele (picture: CONI)

In judo, Luka Mkheidze, a Private First-Class from France, secured a silver medal in the men's -60kg category, narrowly losing to Kazakh Yeldos Semtov with a Waza-Ari. Spanish Sergeant Francisco Garrigós Rosa took home the bronze in the same weight class, defeating Georgian Giorgi Sardalashvili with a Waza-Ari on Golden Score.

In the women's -48kg category, France's Petty Officer Second Class Shirine Boukli Hacene Tani also won a bronze medal, overcoming Spanish Laura Martinez Abelenda with a Waza-Ari on Golden Score. Italy's Corporal Assunta Scutto finished in 7th place.

Shirine Boukli Hacene Tani (picture: Marine Nationale)

Swimming events highlighted the talents of military athletes as well. Brazilian Sergeant Guilherme Pereira da Costa set a new Americas record in the men's 400m freestyle, finishing 5th with a time of 3:42.76, just 0.98 seconds off the gold medal.

In the women's 400m freestyle, Brazilian Sergeant Maria Fernanda de Oliveira da Silva Costa came in 7th with a time of 4:03.53, 6.04 seconds behind the gold medalist, Australian Ariarne Titmus.

The women's 4x100m freestyle relay saw France's team, led by Maréchal des Logis Chef Charlotte Bonnet, finish 6th. Italy's team of corporals Sofia Morini, Chiara Tarantino, Sara Curtis, and Emma Virginia Menicucci placed 8th.

Men's 4x100m freestyle relay team from Italy (picture: Ministero della Difesa)

The men's 4x100m freestyle relay team from Italy, featuring Corporal Leonardo Deplano and Corporal Lorenzo Zazzeri, captured the bronze medal with a time of 3:10.70, 1.42 seconds behind the first-place USA team.

In diving, the Italian duo of Corporal Elena Bertocchi and Corporal Chiara Pellacani narrowly missed the podium, finishing 4th in the women's 3m synchronized springboard with 293.52 points. Ukrainian military reserve divers Anna Pysmenska and Viktoriya Kesar placed 7th with 251.37 points.

In shooting, Islam Satpayev from Kazakhstan won the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team with his teammate Alexandra Le after defeating Germany in the bronze medal game 17/5 while OR1 Jeanette Hegg Duestad from Norway achieved a commendable 5th place in the same event.

Spanish Sergeant Francisco Garrigós Rosa (picture: CISM Espana)

Overall, the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympics showcased the extraordinary talents and determination of military athletes, setting the stage for more thrilling competitions and potential victories in the days to come.

See you tomorrow for another day full of sporting achievements from our military athletes.

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)