The 2024 Paralympic Games officially begin on Wednesday, August 28th, as thousands of athletes with disabilities compete for 549 medals across 22 sports. The historic Place de la Concorde will host the opening ceremony, a fitting location given its role in previous Olympic events.
The Paralympic Games will feature a diverse range of venues, including iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Château de Versailles. Two unique sports, goalball and boccia, will be exclusively featured at the Games.
The Tokyo Paralympics saw the addition of 10 new medal events to provide more opportunities for female athletes and those with higher-support needs. The Paris Games have also seen strong ticket sales, with nearly 2 million tickets sold.
The Paralympic flame, lit in the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, Stoke Mandeville, England, will travel through France before reaching the opening ceremony. As Parisians return from their summer vacations, the city is eagerly awaiting the start of the Games.
The first competitions will begin on Thursday, August 29th, with para taekwondo, para table tennis, para swimming, and para cycling on the track. Defending champions from the Tokyo Paralympics, including India’s Avani Lekhara and American multi-sport specialist Oksana Masters, will be aiming to retain their titles.
Beyond the medal contenders, the Paris Paralympics will showcase inspiring stories of resilience and determination. American swimmer Ali Truwit is competing after losing her lower leg in a shark attack, while Italian sprinter Valentina Petrillo will become the first transgender woman to compete at the Games.
As the Paralympic Games unfold, the world will witness incredible athletic feats, inspiring stories, and the spirit of sportsmanship that defines this unique event.