Paris is set to host the 2024 Paralympics, promising a memorable Games. Following the challenges faced by the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics, held without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Rio 2016's financial difficulties, all eyes are on Paris to deliver an event that could match or even surpass the success of the London 2012 Games.
The opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday at 19:00 BST at the Place de la Concorde, with the first of the 549 gold medals being awarded the next day. The Games will conclude with a closing ceremony at the Stade de France on Sunday, September 8.
So far, nearly two million tickets have been sold, with about 500,000 still available. After the success of the Paris Olympics, organizers are calling this "only half-time." The Paris Paralympics will feature a record number of delegations and female athletes, with more extensive television coverage across more territories than ever before.
In the UK, Channel 4 will broadcast the Games, offering over 1,300 hours of live sport on Channel 4, More4, Channel 4 Streaming, and Channel 4 Sport's YouTube channel. BBC Radio 5 Live will provide commentary and updates from key events, along with special programs on most evenings. Additionally, the BBC Sport website will feature daily live text commentary.
Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, expressed his optimism, saying, "I often say that these will be the most spectacular Paralympic Games ever, and I believe it in my heart." This will be the first time France hosts a Summer Paralympics, though it did stage the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville.
Key British Athletes to Watch
Great Britain will be represented by 215 athletes across 19 sports in Paris, a slight decrease from the 227 who competed in Tokyo. The team includes 116 men and 99 women. The oldest British athlete is 54-year-old canoeist Jeanette Chippington, who first competed in the 1988 Games in Seoul. The youngest is 13-year-old swimmer Iona Winnifrith, with 14-year-old table tennis player Bly Twomey also part of the squad.
Leading the British medal hopes is Sarah Storey, competing in her ninth Paralympics, aiming to increase her gold medal tally to 19. The 46-year-old will focus on cycling road races and time trials rather than track events. In the velodrome, Kadeena Cox and Jody Cundy are among the strong British team, while in athletics, Hannah Cockroft looks to add to her seven Paralympic golds in the T34 100m and 800m.
Other notable British athletes include Sammi Kinghorn, a key contender on the track, and Will Bailey, who aims for another table tennis gold after his Rio 2016 victory. Swimmer Alice Tai returns after missing Tokyo due to injury and having her right leg amputated below the knee. Para-archer Jodie Grinham will compete while 28 weeks pregnant. In wheelchair tennis, 30-time Grand Slam champion Alfie Hewett seeks his first Paralympic gold. Meanwhile, in Para-triathlon, former schoolmates Lauren Steadman and Claire Cashmore will again compete for gold after their intense race at Tokyo 2020, where Steadman won.
ParalympicsGB chief executive Dave Clarke, who previously competed in Beijing and London in blind football, emphasized the importance of the 2024 team having a great experience. "Our athletes are delighted to have the opportunity to compete in front of full stadia and celebrate with friends and family once again," he said. He added that the Games aim to promote recognition for disabled people in society through powerful athletic performances.
The Host Nation’s Ambitions
France, which finished fifth in the medal table at the Olympics, aims to carry that momentum into the Paralympics, both in sporting competition and atmosphere. One of the host nation's gold medal hopes is Para-triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant, one of the French flag bearers at the opening ceremony, who is looking to retain his title from Tokyo in the PTS4 category. "The Olympic Games were a huge success with lots of spectators, great enthusiasm, and a great atmosphere. We're all hoping for that at the Paralympics too," Hanquinquant said. He encouraged fans to come and support, stating, "The party goes on."
Organizers hope the River Seine won’t be a concern during the Paralympics after poor water quality disrupted the men's Olympic triathlon and training sessions.
International Stars to Watch
Among the international stars in Paris is Brazil’s Petrucio Ferreira, the fastest Paralympian in the world, aiming to defend his T47 100m title with his world record standing at 10.29 seconds. Germany’s Markus Rehm, known as the Blade Jumper, seeks his fourth Paralympic long jump title in the T64 category, with a personal best of 8.72m.
Valentina Petrillo is set to make history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympics, representing Italy in the women's T12 classification for athletes with visual impairments. She will compete in the 200m and 400m events. Her participation has sparked debate, with some athletes challenging her right to compete in women’s races.
Like the Olympics, Russia and Belarus are banned from sending athletes to the Games due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, some athletes from these countries will participate as neutrals, under the Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) delegation, with strict vetting to ensure they have not supported the war and are not affiliated with the military.
The Paralympic Refugee Team will include eight athletes, among them Zakia Khudadadi, who will compete in Para-taekwondo. Born in Afghanistan, she competed in Tokyo after being safely evacuated just before the Games.
Three countries—Eritrea, Kiribati, and Kosovo—will be making their Paralympic debut this year, adding to the global diversity and spirit of the Games.
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