The atmosphere at the para-badminton semi-final was electric, with 7,000 attendees singing and cheering for the French athlete, highlighting the intense national pride.
The crowd's reaction toward Coombs was overwhelming, with his brave play met by a tidal wave of boos, illustrating the unique pressure athletes face amongst passionate fans.
Coombs' experience underscored how paralympians must not only conquer opponents but also navigate the challenge of crowd bias, which can significantly impact performance.
The experience revealed a harsh reality for athletes like Coombs: competing at the Paralympics means battling not just physical challengers but also the emotions of highly charged crowds.
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