The Paris 2024 Paralympics are set to kick off on August 28, with the French capital still buzzing from the success of the Olympic Games. Athletes from around the world will showcase their incredible talents in some of the same iconic venues that hosted the Olympics just weeks ago. In total, 18 of the 35 Olympic venues will be repurposed for the Paralympics, which will run until September 8.
Among the standout venues is the Grand Palais, which earned high praise during the Olympics for hosting fencing and taekwondo. The La Defense Arena will return to host 141 gold-medal events in para-swimming, while the Stade de France will once again be the center stage for track and field events. The opening ceremony will be held at Place de la Concorde, known for hosting urban sports like skateboarding during the Olympics. For the first time in Paralympic history, the opening ceremony will take place outside the main stadium, following the precedent set by the Olympics on the River Seine.
Ticket sales for the Paralympics initially lagged, with less than half sold during the Olympics, but interest has surged, and several venues are now sold out. As always, the Games are expected to produce new stars, with American sprinter and high jumper Ezra Frech, a 19-year-old above-the-knee amputee, generating significant buzz ahead of the competition. Meanwhile, familiar names like British sprinter Jonnie Peacock, who made his mark in London 2012, are set to return, with Peacock aiming for his fourth consecutive Paralympic medal.
The Paralympics carry a message that extends beyond sports. International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons hopes that the Paris Games will bring the challenges faced by people with disabilities back to the forefront of global issues. Parsons expressed concern that disability rights have been overshadowed by other social issues in recent years and emphasized the need to re-prioritize these discussions.
China, a Paralympic powerhouse, is expected to send a formidable team, having dominated the medal tally in Tokyo with 96 golds. The host nation, France, buoyed by its Olympic success, aims to improve on the 11 golds it secured in 2021. Ukraine, despite the ongoing war with Russia, will send a team of 140 athletes competing in 17 sports.
In a notable development, athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete under a neutral banner due to their countries’ suspension following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These athletes will not be allowed to participate in the opening or closing ceremonies and must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure they do not show any support for the conflict.
As the world turns its eyes to Paris once more, the 2024 Paralympics promise not only thrilling competition but also a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and global unity.
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