Michaël Jérémiasz criticizes Paris 2024 legacy

Michaël Jérémiasz, a Paralympic tennis champion and former flag bearer for France at the 2016 Rio Games, has expressed deep disappointment with the aftermath of the Paris 2024 Olympics, calling it a "political, media, and economic betrayal." His comments were made during an interview with Sud Radio on October 8, 2026.

Jérémiasz highlights disability accessibility issues

Jérémiasz, who won a gold medal in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and has earned four Paralympic medals in total, pointed out the lack of accessibility for people with disabilities following the Paris 2024 Games. He called for urgent and radical action to address these issues.

Visibility of para-athletes not matched by commitments

He argued that the high visibility given to para-athletes during the Paris 2024 event did not translate into meaningful commitments. Jérémiasz noted that people with disabilities remain largely excluded from public debates, despite the hopes raised by the Games.

Jérémiasz advocates for civil disobedience

Jérémiasz called for civil disobedience, including blockades, protests, and interruptions of sessions, to push for change. He stated that it is no longer acceptable to leave the fight for disability rights to others, urging direct action to ensure people with disabilities can live fulfilling lives.