The Paralympic flame’s journey across France marks the final countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, set to begin on August 28. The flame, originally lit at Stoke Mandeville in England – the birthplace of the Paralympic movement – crossed the Channel Tunnel on Sunday, August 25. It has since been ‘multiplied’ into 12 flames, carried by 1,000 torchbearers across 50 French towns in simultaneous relays.The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are poised to break records, with Craig Spence of the International Paralympic Committee announcing that 167 national Paralympic committees are set to participate, surpassing the previous record of 164 set at London 2012. The Games will feature over 4,400 athletes from 182 countries competing in 549 medal events across 18 competition sites.The opening ceremony, scheduled for August 28 at 20:00 CEST in the iconic Place de la Concorde, promises to be a spectacular event with 65,000 spectators in temporary stands. In a significant announcement, it was revealed that Cyréna Samba-Mayela, the only French medalist in athletics at the Paris Olympics, and Ryadh Sallem, a six-time Paralympian and member of the French wheelchair rugby team, will have the honor of lighting the Paralympic cauldron.The Games aim to challenge perceptions and promote inclusivity. Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor for sports in Paris, emphasized that ‘These Games will not only modify the perception of disabilities, but also the way society treats diversity’. This sentiment is echoed in the participation of an eight-strong refugee squad, competing alongside athletes from various nations, including those from Russia and Belarus under a neutral banner.As the excitement builds, organizers have launched a ‘Game is not over’ campaign to maintain enthusiasm following the Olympic Games. With the Paralympic flame’s arrival and final preparations underway, Paris is ready to host what promises to be a transformative and record-breaking Paralympic Games.
Key points
- The Paralympic flame has arrived in France, being carried by 1,000 torchbearers across 50 towns.
- A record 167 national Paralympic committees are set to participate in the Paris 2024 Games.
- Cyréna Samba-Mayela and Ryadh Sallem will light the Paralympic cauldron during the opening ceremony.
- The Games aim to change societal perceptions of disability and promote inclusivity.
