The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris have moved from ceremony to competition, with the first full day of events underway on August 29. Following the spectacular opening ceremony on the Champs-Élysées, which saw 4,400 athletes from 168 delegations parade before nearly 50,000 spectators, the focus has now shifted to the athletic arenas where para-athletes are vying for the first medals of the Games.French athletes are at the forefront of the action, with high hopes for early success across multiple disciplines. Marie Patouillet, a 36-year-old para-cyclist from Versailles, is aiming for her first gold medal in the 500m individual pursuit after winning two bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics. In the pool, Alex Portal, a triple world champion in para-swimming, is a strong contender for gold in the 100m butterfly.The Games feature 22 para sports, with 11 on the program for the first day of competition. Besides cycling and swimming, other events kicking off include para taekwondo, where French-Vietnamese athlete Bopha Kong is hoping to secure his first Olympic medal, and goalball, with the French team facing Canada in their opening match.International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons expressed his vision for the event, stating, ‘The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when the barriers to succeed are removed’. This sentiment is echoed in the diversity of competitions and the stories of the athletes themselves.With more than 2 million of the 2.8 million available tickets already sold, the Paris Paralympics are set to be one of the best-attended in history, potentially igniting what Parsons calls an ‘inclusion revolution’ that extends beyond the realm of sport.
Key points
- The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris have officially begun with competition starting on August 29.
- French athletes are competing for medals across multiple disciplines, including para-cycling, para-swimming, and para taekwondo.
- Over 2 million tickets have been sold, indicating strong public interest in the Paralympics.
- The Games aim to promote an ‘inclusion revolution’ extending beyond sports.
