Track, field, and rings: a golden day for Ukraine and Greece

PARIS (FRA) - In a city renowned for its elegance and history, Paris has set the stage for the world's greatest athletes to compete in the 2024 Olympics. The ninth day of medal events saw impressive performances from military athletes of CISM Member Nations.

Track & Field saw a moment of triumph for Ukraine as Yaroslava Mahuchikh soared to victory in the women's high jump. Her 2.00m leap not only secured the gold medal but also underscored her exceptional talent and hard work. Her compatriot, Iryna Gerashchenko, also made Ukraine proud, earning the bronze with a jump of 1.95m, achieving a season best in the process.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh (picture European Athletics)

In the boxing ring, the Dominican Republic celebrated two bronze medals. Junior Alcantara Reyes showcased resilience and skill, but was narrowly defeated by France's Billal Bennama, placing third in the men's -51kg category. In the men's -80kg division, Cristian Javier Pinales displayed tenacity but fell to Kazakh Nurbek Oralbay, securing another bronze for the Dominican team.

The women's road race in cycling saw Switzerland's Noemi Rüegg put forth a strong effort, finishing seventh with a time of 4:01:27, just over two minutes behind the gold medalist Kristen Faulkner of the USA.

Junior Alcantara Reyes (picture: Cidefaponrd)

Italy's fencing team in the men's foil displayed remarkable prowess, clinching the silver medal. Corporals Guillaume Bianchi and Alessio Foconi, along with teammates Filippo Macchi and Tommaso Marini, fought valiantly but were bested by Japan in the final. The French team, featuring Enzo Lefort and Maxime Pauty, secured bronze by defeating the USA, adding another medal to their tally.

In artistic gymnastics, Greece's Eleftherios Petrounias delivered a stunning performance on the rings, earning a bronze with a score of 15.100, narrowly missing out on the gold. Belgium's Glen Cuyle finished eighth, with a score of 13.833. Ukraine's Nazar Chepurnyi finished sixth in the men's vault, showcasing the depth of talent among military athletes.

Corporals Guillaume Bianchi and Alessio Foconi (picture: Ministero della Difesa

The swimming events saw mixed results for CISM athletes. Slovenia's Neža Klančar finished sixth in the women's 50m freestyle, while France's David Aubry placed seventh in the men's 1500m freestyle. The French men's 4x100m medley relay team, including Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, captured bronze with a time of 3:28.38. The women's 4x100m medley relay team from France, featuring Charlotte Bonnet, finished sixth.

In archery, Italy's Mauro Nespoli competed fiercely, securing a sixth-place finish in the men's individual event, demonstrating precision and calm under pressure.

Eleftherios Petrounias (picture: European Gymnastics)

As the sun set on Paris, the echoes of cheers and the gleam of medals told a story of determination and excellence. The military athletes of CISM Member Nations once again proved their mettle, standing tall and proud on the global stage. Their achievements on this eighth day of competition are a testament to their dedication, training, and the indomitable spirit of sportsmanship.

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)