World No.2, Helle Sofie Sagøy (SL4) talks about how Tokyo 2020 helped her understand herself better and be in the right frame of mind for Paris 2024.

On finishing fourth at Tokyo 2020:

“I was nervous in Tokyo and I’m sure I’ll be a bit nervous in Paris too, but it’s all about how you handle it and that’s about accepting that you’re nervous and that you are as you are, then taking it from there.

“I had too high expectations on myself but perhaps I realised that I wasn’t really there yet. I hadn’t been training professionally for that many years when I came to Tokyo. Now I’ve done my work, I know myself better, and now I just need to have fun.”

On the differences coming into Paris 2024:

“I was 23 in Tokyo and I feel it’s helped a lot getting older because now she  I am more comfortable with myself. I have a better belief in myself and basically keep my feet more solidly on the ground.

“You want to win and dream about that medal, but it is also important to enjoy the competitions and have a good time because you don’t know if it is your last Paralympic Games, even though I’m hoping for more. I want to enjoy these moments and not think too much.”

On competing in front of 5600 spectators at La Chapelle Arena:

“That will be something new. When you are called up and walk towards the badminton court, you have to go inside (into a state of focus), close the door, and focus on the task, trying to keep everything else outside of it.

“When the last points are played you can look up and wave and take it all in. I’ll try as well as I can to close everything else off. It sounds easy but it isn’t.”

On the support she will have:

“I have some family and friends coming with my boyfriend and his family, and I’ve told myself that even if I lose or mess up, I know they will still be happy for me and won’t say anything. They don’t care about the result, they are there to support me because they like me.

“It’s best not to know where they sit. It’s nice to hear some cheers though. The first match will be a bit of a test, but I’m excited about it.”

On her goal at Paris 2024:

“My most important goal is that I have fun, get to play my best game and at the same time find some calm. If I can manage that, I am very keen to also fight for a medal. It would be nice with a piece of metal.”

On being one of only three women’s singles SL4 players from Europe, along with home hopes, Faustine Noel and Milena Surreau:

“It will be me against Asia. I hope that it is an advantage that we are in Europe, that I perhaps can get some French fans to support me. Badminton is one of the biggest sports in the world and I hope we can get some more people to get their eyes on the sport, especially in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. In Norway, it is very underrated.”

The Norwegian will play Saensupa Nipada in Group A on the opening day. This will be their second encounter in six years.