Paralympic Games in Beijing: third medal for Daviet, disappointing end clap for Bochet

That night in Beijing, the French representatives experienced varying, even opposing, fortunes.

On the one hand, the insatiable Benjamin Daviet, flag bearer of the blue-white-red delegation, won a third medal by pocketing silver in the middle distance in para cross-country skiing.

On the other, the "snow queen" Marie Bochet fell in the second run of the slalom for the final test of her Paralympic career, after ten complicated days in Beijing.

And one, and two, and three medals for Daviet

After his triumphs in standing para biathlon and standing freestyle para cross-country skiing, Benjamin Daviet won the third medal of his almost perfect Games.

The Frenchman, flag bearer of the Paralympic delegation in Beijing, won silver on the Zhangjiakou track, again in para cross-country skiing, this time over the middle distance.

He finished the course in 33′09′'1, just behind the Chinese Mengqiu Zhang, in 33′07′'8.

VICE PARALYMPIC CHAMPION 🥈

After two Paralympic titles, our flag bearer @DavietBenjamin offers himself a new podium on the middle distance in para cross-country skiing #AllezLesBleus pic.twitter.com/RxOMuerPKi

– Team France (@EquipeFRA) March 12, 2022

"I'm really happy with this silver medal," said Daviet.

I didn't have the crazy feelings I had the day before, a little tired after a complicated night.

Wang was extremely quick!

I tried to put it back on the last lap but I finished one second off first place, it's really nothing at all.

»

There will remain in Daviet a team relay to pick up, the 4 x 2.5 km Open in team with Anthony Chalencon.

"I have confidence in us," added Daviet.

The relay has been our race since 2014!

We have always transcended ourselves with the desire to bring home the big medal for the whole team.

We are a solid team.

We're really going to tear our guts out to get this medal.

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Read alsoParalympic Games: from a shattered adolescence to standard bearer, how sport saved Benjamin Daviet

Bochet, the disappointment

It was on the verge of tears that Marie Bochet said goodbye to the Paralympic Games on Friday night in Beijing.

Eight-time Paralympic gold medalist, the "Snow Queen" ended her Beijing adventure with a fall during the standing slalom.

🇬🇧 @MarieBochet unfortunately didn't finish her second run of the slalom.

Thank you to our snow queen for all these emotions and for making us vibrate for 4 Paralympiads 🤍 pic.twitter.com/xPy1cCFrdu

– Team France (@EquipeFRA) March 12, 2022

“I'm a little relieved that it's over, it was so dense these Games, she reacted.

I was so lacking in landmarks, lacking in feelings (...) I put my heart and my guts into it, I tried not to let go.

After going for the silver in the Super-G, Bochet finished 4th in the giant on the night of Thursday to Friday.

She ended her Paralympic career, with 8 titles, on this disappointment.

“I think these Games also showed me that it was really over, that I had really gone all the way.

I don't know what the future will hold.

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On the eve of the closing of these Games, France remains 4th in the medal standings with 10 charms in all: 6 in gold, 2 in silver, 2 in bronze.