In Summary
- The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, beginning Wednesday, promise exhilarating sports and record-breaking performances with over 44,000 athletes competing.
- The Games emphasize inclusion, with efforts to make the Paris Métro more accessible and showcase disability sports to local audiences.
- Organizers expect a surge in engagement from locals and visitors alike, despite initial scepticism about timing the Games during the end of France's holiday season.
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| The Eiffel tower stadium where the games will be hosted |
Plastered across every Métro station in Paris are bold, bilingual adverts featuring Paralympic athletes alongside the message, “Game [is not] over,” reminding Parisians that the city’s summer of sport continues with the Paralympic Games. Starting Wednesday, the Games are set to showcase not just athletic prowess but also a powerful message of inclusion and accessibility.
After concerns about low ticket sales and questions about local interest, recent news has been encouraging. Over 2 million tickets have been sold, out of a total of 2.5 million, with many events already sold out. The Île de France regional government has committed to making the Paris Métro accessible to wheelchair users—a long-standing issue for the city.
The Games kick off with a spectacular opening ceremony in the heart of Paris, designed as a "gigantic hug" for the 44,000 athletes who will compete over the next 11 days. The parade will begin on the Champs Élysées, known as “the world’s most beautiful avenue,” and conclude at the Place de la Concorde, reinforcing the event’s theme of openness and accessibility.
“This ceremony at the heart of the city is a strong symbol illustrating our ambition … to position the issue of inclusion for people with disabilities at the heart of our society,” said Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024. Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, echoed this enthusiasm: “Tomorrow’s opening ceremony is going to be fantastic, it’s going to be incredible, no doubt.”
Overcoming Scepticism and Embracing Disability Sport
Estanguet acknowledged that engaging the French public has been an ongoing challenge, particularly with the Games coinciding with the end of "Les Vacances" and the return to school. However, he believes the timing is a strategic advantage. “We decided on purpose to position the games during back to school in France because we want to take advantage of the opportunities it offers,” he explained. “Back to school is a good time to send messages to students, to show inclusion and accessibility, to provide an opportunity for education.”
Despite the challenges, the excitement is palpable, with estimates predicting 300,000 visitors for the Games. Organizers are now working to create extra space at venues like the Eiffel Tower arena and the Château de Versailles, where several events have already sold out.
Record-Breaking Performances and New Challenges
With 182 countries participating, this edition of the Paralympics will feature more nations than ever before. From the intensity of wheelchair rugby to the strategic finesse of boccia, the Games promise to introduce new fans to a unique and exhilarating brand of sport. Parsons highlighted the competitive edge of the event, noting, “World records are going to be smashed.”
ParalympicsGB, aiming to replicate their stellar performance in Tokyo three years ago where they won 124 medals, is set to compete with 215 athletes. Terry Bywater and Lucy Shukur, seasoned Paralympians, have been chosen as British flag bearers for the opening ceremony. Bywater, making his seventh appearance at the Games, expressed his pride: “This is not just about me, this is for the 215 athletes that are here, all the staff, my family... I’ll be doing it for everyone.”
As Paris opens its heart and its streets to the world’s best Paralympic athletes, the city is not just hosting a sporting event; it’s championing a movement of inclusion, excellence, and resilience.
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