YOUR 2024 GUIDE
As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympics kicks off, we've compiled a comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know about this inaugural sporting extravaganza in the French capital.
In 2024, Paris will host the Paralympics for the first time, promising a spectacular showcase of athleticism. Over 4,400 athletes from around the globe will participate in 22 sports, marking a return to cheering crowds following the closed-door Tokyo Games in 2021. Beyond the impressive performances, competitors aim to influence societal attitudes and spearhead social change, both in France and globally.
Key Paralympic Dates:
Opening Ceremony: Wednesday, 28 August
Games Duration: August 28 to September 8
Closing Ceremony: Sunday, 8 September
In a groundbreaking move, the opening ceremony will unfold outside a stadium, with athletes parading through iconic Parisian landmarks between the Champs-Elysees and the Place de la Concorde. Inclusivity takes center stage, allowing spectators to witness the procession along the route before official ceremonies at the Place de la Concorde. The Paralympics will unfold across various venues, many shared with the Olympics. Notable locations include Roland Garros for wheelchair tennis, the Chateau de Versailles garden for Para-equestrian events, and the Stade de France for Para-athletics.
To catch the Paralympic action, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, along with extensive coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website, will provide viewing options. Paris 2024 will see no new sports, but expanded programs in badminton and taekwondo, along with a record number of medal events for women. A total of 549 gold medals will be contested across the 22 sports.
Team ParalympicsGB is anticipated to feature around 220 athletes across 19 sports, aiming to build on their success in Tokyo, where they secured 124 medals, including 41 golds.
Notably, athletes from Russia and Belarus, previously suspended due to geopolitical events, will participate in the Paris Paralympics as neutrals, following a partial lift of the ban by the International Paralympic Committee in September 2023. This decision sparked criticism from various international federations, including ParalympicsGB.