Cécile Hernandez eyes Paralympic glory in her final Games at 51

Defying age and disability, she carries France's flag—one last shot at glory. Her story redefines resilience in elite para-sports.

, and Administrator

2026 May 22 . 11:07 PM

1 min read

The image shows a silver medal with a snowman on it. The medal is in the shape of a locket and has... — The image shows a silver medal with a snowman on it. The medal is in the shape of a locket and has text written on it, likely the name of the recipient.

Cécile Hernandez eyes Paralympic glory in her final Games at 51

At 51, French para-snowboarder Cécile Hernandez is preparing for her fourth and final Paralympic Games. She will carry the flag alongside Jordan Broisin at the opening ceremony. Despite a recent serious leg injury and a progressive disability, she remains a top contender in two events. Hernandez first made her mark in para-snowboarding with four Paralympic medals, including gold in snowboard cross at Beijing 2022. Her career has been shaped by resilience, especially after a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2022. The condition is worsening, yet she manages it with sharp focus and discipline.

This season began with a setback—a severe injury to her right leg. Still, she has pushed through recovery and now considers herself at the peak of her abilities. Her first chance for another medal comes in the snowboard cross event on March 7–8, where she is the favourite to defend her title. Her final competition will be the banked slalom on March 14. Though she has never won gold in this event, it remains her ultimate goal before retiring from the Games.

Hernandez will leave the Paralympics after 2023, closing a career marked by perseverance and success. Her performance in both events will determine whether she adds to her medal count. Regardless of the outcome, her journey stands as a testament to determination in elite sport.