Three Wheelchair Racers Supported by Honda Win 12 Medals Including Gold at Paris 2024 Paralympics Games
TOKYO, Japan, September 20, 2024 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that wheelchair athletes Manuela Schär, Susannah Scaroni and Catherine Debrunner have competed in athletics events at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games (August 28 – September 8), and won a total of 12 medals including gold.
Debrunner (Switzerland, T53*1) won gold in the 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m and marathon, and silver in the 100m, setting new Paralympic records in the 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m.
Schär (Switzerland, T54*2) won gold in the 800m, setting a new Paralympic record. She also won silver in the 400m, 4th place in the marathon and 5th place in the 5000m. This takes her tally of medals to 10, spanning her 6 Paralympic Games appearances from the Athens 2004 Games to Paris 2024, an extraordinary achievement for the athlete who has announced her retirement from track racing.
Scaroni (USA, T54) won silver in the 5000m and bronze in the 800m,1500m and marathon. This is the first time she has won medals at the same games in all four categories she has competed in.
Paris 2004 Paralympics Games was a success for all three athletes supported by Honda who won a total of 12 medals including gold. Based on the vision for its sports activities – “To increase the number of people who take on challenges through sports activities and make the lives of all people more enjoyable” – Honda has been supporting and will continue to support wheelchair and various athletes who take on challenges toward the realization of their own dreams.
*1 T53 is for wheelchair track athletes who have movement affected to a high degree in the trunk and legs.
*2 T54 is for wheelchair track athletes who have full function in their body with moderately or highly affected movement in the legs or the absence of legs.
Comment from Catherine Debrunner
“I still can’t believe it! My successes in Paris will go down in the history books. I travelled home with a lot of precious medals, unforgettable moments and as the most successful female athlete at the 2024 Paralympics. I would like to take this opportunity to personally say THANK YOU. Honda has all made a decisive contribution to this success and I am incredibly grateful to Honda!”
Comment from Manuela Schär
“The Paralympics in Paris was an incredibly exciting experience. I am happy and grateful to end my career on the track with two medals. Although I also experienced some disappointments, I will always remember the amazing atmosphere in the stadium. Thank you, Honda, for your support over the past years. I couldn’t have done it without Honda.”
Comment from Susannah Scaroni
“The Paris Paralympics were a very special and very fun competition for me. The T54 women’s field is extremely strong, and I loved getting to race very fast and very strategic events. I felt strong and had the awesome equipment provided by Honda to help me perform at my best ability. I also loved the atmosphere. The stadium crowds were so loud and motivating, and it gave me so much joy that many people were able to experience high level wheelchair racing. I know that this will impact many people, and will hopefully grow the paralympic movement!”
Catherine Debrunner Profile
Date of birth: April 11, 1995
Nationality: Switzerland
Honda racing wheelchair contract athlete
＜Main achievements＞
●2024
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games 400m/800m/1500m/5000m/marathon: 1st, 100m: 2nd
World Para Athletics Grand Prix (Switzerland) 400m/800m/1500m: Winner *1500m world record
London Marathon: Winner
World Para Athletics Grand Prix (Dubai) 100m/400m/1500m/5000m: Winner, 800m: 2nd
●2023
Oita International Wheelchair Marathon: Winner
New York City Marathon: Winner
Chicago Marathon: Winner
Berlin Marathon: Winner
Paris World Para Athletics Championships 400m/800m/1500m/5000m: Winner, 100m: 2nd
●2022
Berlin Marathon: Winner
London Marathon: Winner
●2021
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games 400m: Winner, 800m: 3rd
Manuela Schär Profile
Date of birth: December 5, 1984
Nationality: Switzerland
Honda racing wheelchair contract athlete
＜Main achievements＞
●2024
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games 400m: 2nd, 800m: 1st, 5000m: 5th, marathon: 4th
World Para Athletics Grand Prix (Switzerland) 800m: Winner *European record
400m/5000m: 2nd, 1500m: 3rd
London Marathon: 2nd
Boston Marathon: 2nd
Tokyo Marathon: Winner
●2023
Oita International Wheelchair Marathon: 2nd
New York City Marathon: 2nd
Chicago Marathon: 4th
Berlin Marathon: 3rd
Paris World Para Athletics Championships: 400m/800m: Winner, 1500m/5000m: 2nd
London Marathon: 2nd
Tokyo Marathon: Winner
●2022
New York City Marathon: 2nd
Berlin Marathon: 2nd
Boston Marathon: Winner
●2021
New York City Marathon: 3rd
Berlin Marathon: Winner
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games 400m/800m: Winner, 1500m/5000m: 2nd
London Marathon: Winner
Susannah Scaroni Profile
Date of birth: May 16, 1991
Nationality: U.S.
Honda racing wheelchair contract athlete
＜Main achievements＞
●2024
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games 5000m: 2nd, 800m/1500m/marathon: 3rd
World Para Athletics Grand Prix (Switzerland) 5000m: Winner *World record, 800m/1500m: 2nd
Tokyo Marathon: 3rd
●2023
Oita International Wheelchair Marathon: 3rd
New York City Marathon: 3rd
Chicago Marathon: 2nd
Berlin Marathon 4th
Paris World Para Athletics Championships 400m/800m: Winner, 1500m/5000m: 2nd
London Marathon: 4th
Boston Marathon: Winner
●2022
Oita International Wheelchair Marathon: 2nd
New York City Marathon: Winner
Chicago Marathon: Winner
Berlin Marathon 3rd
Boston Marathon: 2nd
London Marathon: 2nd
●2021
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games 5000m: Winner, 800m: 3rd