Trinidad and Tobago witnessed a historical moment as Akeem Stewart won a silver medal in the men’s discus throw F64 event (T&T) in Paris in 2024. At the iconic Stade de France, the Tobago-born athlete landed an incredible throw of 59.66 meters. This iconic throw secured him second place and made his legacy as one of T&T’s most outstanding Paralympians.
In the men’s discus throw F64 event (T&T) at the Paris 2024, Stewart fouled his two attempts and then threw 56.55m in round four and 58.89m in the penultimate round. In his last effort to win the gold, the 32-year-old landed a 57.09m but could only score silver medal position.
American Jeremy Campbell threw a record-breaking throw of 61.14 meters, making a new Paralympic Games record. Notelby T&T now has a total of seven Paralympic Games medals.
The only event Stsewat participated in was the discus throw F64 at the Paris 2024 Games. People were joyful as Stewart won silver in T&T, especially following the country’s back-to-back Olympic Games without a medal.
The people acknowledge his outstanding efforts, and they compare him to T&T Paralympic legend Rachael Marshall. He is well known as a legend of T&T Paralympic who claimed two gold medals and a silver medal at the 1984 Paralympic Games.
For Stewart, the silver medal also serves as a moment of personal redemption. He had his payback on David Blair, who won gold in Rio 2016 in F44. Stewart had previously only won silver from that event but picked up a javelin gold to his collection. His latest achievement includes his silver collection, as he has three Paralympic medals with gold and two silvers.
At a post-competition interview with i95.5FM, he expressed his gratitude. He said, “I had a rough season and a rough couple of weeks leading up to the Championships, but I’m truly thankful to come out here and medal for my country and put my country on the map yet again. I’m happy”.
Continuing with the interview, Akeem Stweart also mentioned the wet conditions and accepted that the weather played a factor in his performance. “It was wet, so I didn’t throw much further. But at the end of the day, we have to adapt as athletes. That was a season’s best, so I was pleased,” he added.
Brian Lewis, the current president of the T&T Olympic Committee, praised Stewart’s performance and said, “Huge credit to Akeem Stewart, his dedication and determination, and his coach, Wade Franklyn.” Further adding, “The country needed good news, and Akeem is a great athlete. His record at the Paralympic and world level can stand scrutiny. People need to stop saying it’s only Paralympics and using that to diminish Paralympic athletes. I hope this will catalyse greater inclusion, accessibility, and support for Paralympic sports and athletes.”
