2016 Rio Paralympic Games, Brazil
12 galleries
For my third Paralympic Games I was a member of the CPSF France Paralympique delegation working as one of their photographers. My focus was on French athletes; our mission to document the team's performances and medals in at the #Rio2016 Games.
As you know from my online archive I cover many different para-sports, but I seem to be developing a penchant towards shooting the more logistically challenging sports like sailing and triathlon! So what you see here is not a complete selection of sports from the games; rather those elements I was required to shoot as part of a team of photographers playing to its strengths to deliver images for the National Paralympic Committee of France and its partners.
Indeed the highlight of the entire games for me was shooting the sailing and the triathlon, but the sailing in particular. I had two days on the water and was privileged to photograph Damien Seguin winning Gold in the 2.4R class - this is, sadly, the last time sailing is in the Paralympic Program for the foreseeable future. Hopefully it'll make a return in 2024.
With regards the triathlon the opposite is true - it was the first time it made an appearance in the Paralympic Games and France's Gwladys Lemoussu went home with a bronze medal in this event. I loved shooting this sport; especially as I used to race Tri!! Nice to be on the other end of the action.
As you know from my online archive I cover many different para-sports, but I seem to be developing a penchant towards shooting the more logistically challenging sports like sailing and triathlon! So what you see here is not a complete selection of sports from the games; rather those elements I was required to shoot as part of a team of photographers playing to its strengths to deliver images for the National Paralympic Committee of France and its partners.
Indeed the highlight of the entire games for me was shooting the sailing and the triathlon, but the sailing in particular. I had two days on the water and was privileged to photograph Damien Seguin winning Gold in the 2.4R class - this is, sadly, the last time sailing is in the Paralympic Program for the foreseeable future. Hopefully it'll make a return in 2024.
With regards the triathlon the opposite is true - it was the first time it made an appearance in the Paralympic Games and France's Gwladys Lemoussu went home with a bronze medal in this event. I loved shooting this sport; especially as I used to race Tri!! Nice to be on the other end of the action.
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122 imagesThe Rio 2016 Paralympic Games opening ceremony took place in the Maracana stadium. It was a simple and colourful show crowned by the lighting of the Paralympic Flame and the raising of the flaming cauldron to the incredible mechanical golden sun sculpture. Not even torrential rain could extinguish the flame nor dampen the spirits of the audience as all the athletes came out and paraded in front of them. The welcome they were given was huge - Bem vindo ao Brasil! -
69 imagesMy first day at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games was spent at the Aquatic Centre in the Olympic Park. We had just three swimmers on the first day; David Smetanine, Theo Curin and Anita Fatis. They all made it through to their respective finals, but unfortunately none of them medalled that day. -
2 galleriesRowing was held at the Lagoa Stadium away from the Olympic Park. Tennis was held in the Olympic Park itself. With the 'interesting' media transport getting to the rowing in time for the start, from the Olympic Stadium, was challenging and getting back was no easier! The weather wasn't kind to us on the lake but we soon dried out back at the Olympic Park in time for the tennis. -
98 imagesOddly my only day of athletics at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Not quite sure how that happened! Only one medal for CPSF France Paralympique with Louis Radius taking bronze in the 1500m T38. -
274 imagesPara-triathlon made its historical debut in the Paralympic Games on Copacabana beach in Rio. One really couldn't have picked a more perfect venue for this event. The spectator turnout was phenomenal and the triathletes put in some impressive performances despite the incredible heat that day! For my part, as a photographer for CPSF France Paralympique, I had another podium to shoot thanks to Gwladys Lemoussu taking bronze in the PT4 classification!! As a former triathlete I felt that same nervous tension that I had when I was racing; only this time I was taking photos! Tapping into this an my knowledge of the sport I was able to follow the racing with both a photographer's and a triathletes eye. I think I'll be returning to racing Summer 2017.... -
2 galleriesA relatively easy day - two sports with both venues in the Olympic Park. The venues for the Wheelchair Fencing and Wheelchair Tennis were just across the way from each other and so there was no tricky media transport to deal with! -
61 imagesThe Paralympic Sailing program took place over a number of days out of the Marina da Gloria under the gaze of the Sugar Loaf and Corcovado. A magnificent setting! Conditions this particular day were tricky and there was a lot of waiting around for the wind. Eventually the horns sounded and there was plenty of activity down on the pontoons as the teams arrived. A great opportunity to photograph the guys getting read to sail. With the photographers' boats full I managed to cadge a lift on the press boat - a 100 year old wooden fishing boat....which broke down in the marina! By some miracle the guys running the boat managed to get it started and we chugged out in to the bay with just enough time to see the final race of the day - the Sonar. Being such a large boat we could not approach the race to closely and so we were kept at a distance of some 500m from all the action. No close-ups today! Fortunately our man in the 2.4R class, Damien Seguin, was on for a Gold medal and I'd be back on the last day of racing to capture his moment in Gold! -
78 imagesCycling time-trial - the race of truth - contre la montre. I love cycling and what's more I love time-trialling. So this was a real treat for me. Although, I have to admit that I'd have really liked to been racing as well as taking photos! A fast flat course ideal for posting fast times. -
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4 galleriesThe final day of the sailing programme in Rio was blessed with great conditions. For the French Team Damien Seguin was sailing for Gold. The day started with the Sonar Class followed by the Skud Class and finishing with the 2.4mR Class. As mentioned before this is the last time we'll see Paralympic Sailing in the games for a while yet....although I heard a rumour that it may be back as a demonstration sport at the Tokyo 2020 games....we'll see. Fingers crossed! -
2 galleriesThe very last day of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. The last event of the games was the Marathon; held on the iconic and beautiful Copacabana Beach under sweltering heat. In the evening at the Maracana Stadium the closing ceremony and a bid farewell to Rio De Janeiro and Brazil. The games were truly memorable. In spectator numbers they were the second most successful games in Paralympic History; just behind London 2012. Yet you couldn't have two more contrasting events! I left Brazil with lasting memories of one of the most mesmerising cities I have ever visited. The warmth and the friendliness of our welcome here was incredible. With the limited budgets of the organisation I would challenge anyone to put on a better event. The colour; the vibrance and the sheer enthusiasm and support of the Brazilian spectators and visitors created an atmosphere like no other. At times, I will be honest, it was difficult, though. The security could be overbearing. Photo-positions would change from day to day. The media buses were like a crazy rollercoaster ride. Yet for all the challenges we faced as the media; as the photographic press; we got our jobs done and witnessed and were part something truly special. For my part working for CPSF France Paralypmique made for my best games ever. To be part of the delegation of the country I call home was a privilege and a real honour. Obrigado Brazil! Obrigrado et merci L'Equipe De France Paralympique!!