Published on: 9th September 2024
As the Paris Paralympics draws to a close, we congratulate all the competitors from across the world who took part. Team GB's 124 medal haul was the second highest in the competition - 49 golds, 44 silvers, and 31 bronzes. An amazing achievement. We at RNOH are particularly proud of two medallists - fencer Dimitri Coutya and wheelchair racer Marcus Perrineau-Daley. Dimitri won two golds and Marcus won a silver, helping the national squad surpass their tally from Tokyo 2020.
Dimitri claimed his second gold medal at the Paris Paralympics with a dominant display in the men's individual epee B final. To win his second gold, the 
26-year-old Londoner beat Thailand's Visit Kingmanaw 15-10 to add to his foil title won earlier in the programme. Dimitri first came to RNOH as a two year-old, after suffering a spinal cord injury as a result of a road traffic collision, and has been treated here ever since. Since then he’s gone from strength to strength, becoming a Paralympian fencer for Team GB and competing in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, European and World Championships, culminating in his two golds in Paris.
Speaking to the BBC, Dimitri said: "I think it is testament to the hard work that so many people have invested in me – team-mates, support staff, friends and family and there are so many people here supporting me and pushing me to be better and they are a large part of the reason why I have been so successful this week."
Huge congratulations also to Marcus Perrineau-Daley, who won silver in the 100m T52 wheelchair racing at the Paris Paralympics. To secure a silver in only his first Paralympics is an amazing achievement.
Marcus, a former fitness model and protection operative, came to us in 2014, after he lost control of his motorbike. The accident left him with a complete spinal cord injury at C8. This meant he had no use or sensation in his legs and trunk, alongside reduced use and sensation of his hand and arms. Despite his spinal injury, Marcus was determined to regain his independence and follow his passion for fitness and sport.
After spending six months at our London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Marcus qualified as a personal trainer focusing on people with disabilities. He also returned to the gym and learned adapted weightlifting, which in turn led him to adapted wheelchair boxing.
Always a giver, Marcus fronted a campaign from our own RNOH Charity some years ago and said: "My time at Stanmore was a cornerstone of my recovery. I’m less than a year from my injury and I’ve already got a new role teaching kids to box. I have a renewed vision of the things that I want to achieve with my life."
Well done Dimitri, Marcus, all the national team and everyone at the games!