Axel Bourlon Faces Setbacks in Powerlifting at Paris 2024 Paralympics, Raising Questions About Fair Play
At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Axel Bourlon, a promising French para-powerlifter, found himself in a disappointing position after failing to validate any of his attempts during the competition on September 4th. This came as a shock to both Bourlon and his supporters, as he had entered the event with high hopes, aiming for a podium finish after securing a silver medal in Tokyo three years earlier. Unfortunately, despite the enthusiastic support from the crowd at the Arena Porte de la Chapelle, Bourlon left without a medal, sparking questions about the fairness and consistency of the rules in his discipline.
Bourlon had previously lifted 165 kg in Tokyo, finishing just behind Kazakhstan’s David Degtyarev, who lifted 174 kg to claim the gold. However, this time, Bourlon failed to lift 163 kg and then twice missed 169 kg, far behind Degtyarev’s 188 kg. Pablo Ramirez Barrientos from Cuba took second place with 185 kg. Bourlon’s disappointment was palpable, not just because of his failure to reach the podium, but also due to his concerns about how some athletes, particularly Barrientos, executed their lifts.
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Bourlon’s coach, Flavien Martinez, shed light on the frustration, explaining that the Cuban athlete’s unique body proportions allow for an unusually short lifting range, making it easier to pass the lift with minimal effort. The classification rules currently only stipulate the width of hand placement on the bar, but for athletes with short arms and large torsos like Barrientos, this creates a clear advantage. According to Martinez, this significantly reduces the effort required and distorts the true challenge of the sport.
Despite these frustrations, Bourlon does not dispute the judges' decisions regarding his own failed attempts. However, the inconsistency of the refereeing, particularly when comparing his lifts to those of other competitors, has raised concerns. Martinez pointed out that while Bourlon's attempts were invalidated, another lifter's similar mistakes were overlooked by the judges, adding to the sense of injustice.
In the highly competitive world of para-powerlifting, where athletes from 61 nations compete, this issue of uneven officiating and leniency towards athletes with unconventional techniques has become a pressing concern. Bourlon and his team are hoping that the international federation will address these classification and rule issues after the games to restore a sense of fairness to the sport.
For Bourlon, the focus now shifts to the future. With only Souhad Ghazouani, a five-time Paralympic medalist, left to represent France in the powerlifting events, there’s still hope for redemption. Ghazouani, competing in a new weight category, faces her own challenges, particularly against opponents with similar advantages to Barrientos. Yet, the Paris 2024 Paralympics have clearly highlighted the need for urgent reform in para-powerlifting to ensure fair competition for all athletes.
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