Citi World Series: Laurent Chardard ready for final home test before Paris 2024

The Citi Para Swimming World Series lands in the host nation of the Paralympic Games for the last stop in the athletes’ preparation for Paris 2024.

Limoges, known for its rich history and cultural significance, will welcome top Para swimmers from around the world at L’Aquapolis from Friday to Sunday (7 to 9 June) as they vie for crucial points and qualifications ahead of the Games.

A total of 37 countries will participate in the France 2024 World Series, with some nations fielding particularly large teams.

Hosts France will have the largest delegation with 28 athletes. Among them is two-time world champion Laurent Chardard, the men’s 50m freestyle S6 gold medallist in the last two editions of the World Championships, Madeira 2022 and Manchester 2023.

Medal Dream

Chardard is on the way to his second Games, and these recent triumphs make him a strong gold medal contender in Paris, which would be his first-ever Paralympic medal.

“I hope I can grab my first Paralympic medals at home. Competing at home with the crowd cheering us on is an extra fuel. For this World Series, my expectation is to try to do my best and grab some medals because they are beautiful,” the swimmer joked and added, “My preparation for Paris is really good. We just wait for a little bit of sun to be better.”

The French world champion will dive into L’Aquapolis’ pool to race his main event, the men’s 50m freestyle, in addition to the 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Alongside Chardard, the French team will see Paralympic champion Elodie Lorandi and Paralympic medallist Ugo Didier.

Lorandi (S10) will compete in the women’s 50m, 100m, and 400m freestyle events. The 400m freestyle is her signature event, having won gold in London 2012 and bronze in Rio 2016.

Like Chardard, Didier (S9) is also heading to his second Games and, despite winning two medals in Tokyo 2020, still chases his first Paralympic gold.

In Tokyo, Didier collected a silver in the men’s 400m freestyle and a bronze in the 200m medley. He will race in these events in Limoges, along with the 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke.

Gabrielzinho in action again

Brazil is the visiting nation with the most athletes in Limoges, as 18 athletes will be representing the country at France 2024.

Gabriel dos Santos Araujo, also known as Gabrielzinho, stands out not only for his credentials as a two-time Paralympic champion but also for his recent performance in the last meet of the Citi World Series.

In Berlin last week, Araujo (S2) won a gold medal after a record-breaking performance in the men’s 50m butterfly, finishing in 52.37.

In France, he will compete in six events: the men’s 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle, as well as the 50m and 100m backstroke, and 150m medley.

Another Brazilian star who had a stunning performance in Berlin and will be in action again in Limoges is three-time Paralympic champion Maria Carolina Santiago.

Santiago (S12) secured half of Brazil's gold medals in Berlin and broke the world record in the women’s 50m freestyle S12 with a time of 26.61.

She will compete in three events in Limoges: the women’s 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 100m butterfly.

Rounding out the top three of the largest teams in action at France 2024, Spain and Mexico will each be represented by 14 athletes.

The Spanish squad is led by Paralympic medallist Inigo Llopis Sanz (S8), who will compete in the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle, as well as the 50m butterfly race.

Fabiola Martinez, a bronze medallist at Tokyo 2020, is one of Mexico's strong contenders, competing in the women’s 50m freestyle and 150m medley.

The Citi Para Swimming World Series France 2024 will be live-streamed on the Federation Francaise Handisport YouTube channel.

Live results from the French leg of the World Series in Limoges will be available here.