- "Nearly Disastrous Outcome": Shepherds Finished in Fourth Position
Leon Schäfer is still frustrated after missing out on a medal spot in the 100 meters at the Paralympics. He referred to his pair of fourth-place finishes at the Stade de France in Paris as "almost disastrous, performance-wise." "If I had won the long jump today, I could have swallowed my disappointment better. Who knows?"
The day prior, Schäfer had promised himself to "definitely" clinch a victory in that event. "I was mentally prepared. I could sense the fear in the other competitors in the call room. I just can't explain what went wrong," said Schäfer, who had to undergo amputation of his right lower leg and knee due to bone cancer.
Felix Streng completed his sprint in another category, earning a bronze medal, but he too felt let down. "As a sprinter, you go to the starting line to win a race. I think that was the objective, to leave here as defending champion. But I'm here now, and I've added my sixth Paralympic medal to my collection at my third games," he said.
Johannes Floors finished just behind Streng, but his main goal is in the 400 meters. He took a lot of positives from the race. "I've learned how to deal with the atmosphere, I'm familiar with the track, and the starting blocks, and on Friday, I'll be shuffling the deck, and I'll take the checkered flag," said the 29-year-old, who finished as the top double amputee.
Despite his success in earning a bronze medal, Felix Streng felt disappointed as he aimed to defend his title in Paris. The upcoming 400 meters event is where Johannes Floors hopes to shine, having gained valuable experience from his recent race in Paris.
