French athlete Pierre Fairbank ‘playing to win’ at 2024 Paralympic Games

“I still take pleasure in rolling,” Fairbank told FRANCE 24 during the World Para Athletics Championships at Charléty stadium in Paris on July 14, 2023.

On France’s Bastille Day national holiday, the athlete from the French overseas territory of New Caledonia had just qualified for the T53 (a type of classification meant to ensure that athletes compete against opponents with comparable abilities) 100-metre final, finishing third in his heat.

“It felt good, but I’ll need to raise my level,” Fairbank said shortly after the race. He finished sixth in the final with a time below his expectations. After all these years, he still retains a thirst for the winners’ podium.

Fairbank has tasted victory on numerous occasions in his career. In addition to his nine medals at the Paralympic Games, including a gold in the T53 200-metres in Sydney in 2000, he has won 13 medals while participating in seven Para Athletics World Championships. 

Fairbank didn’t make the podium at Charléty in July. However, he found the competition was a valuable “home test” before next year’s Para Athletics World Championships in Kobe, Japan and the Paralympic Games in Paris.

“Everything is well organised (at Charléty), the fans set the mood even though there weren’t that many here. It’s a good rehearsal before next year,” Fairbank said, for “making the final adjustments”.

For the para athlete, one thing is certain about 2024: the Paris Paralympic Games will be his last. “This will be my last Olympics. I’ll be 53 years old then … I think after that I’ll have other things to do,” he said, laughing. 

“It’s been a good part of my life, a great career,” Fairbank said. “I’ve done more than 30 years of wheelchair sports, it’s huge.”

Fairbank contracted myelitis,