Paralympics 2024: Essential Information Ahead of Paris Games
The Paralympic Games are scheduled from August 28 to September 8, 2024, in Paris. Here’s what you need to know concerning events.
When Are the Paralympics?
The 2024 Paralympic Games will commence on August 28 and conclude on September 8. On the first competitive day, August 29, a total of 23 gold medals will be contested in sports that include para athletics, para cycling track, para swimming, and para taekwondo. The final day of the Games will also offer medals in para athletics, para canoe, para swimming, and wheelchair basketball.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The opening ceremony will take place on August 28, marking a historic moment as it occurs outside a stadium for the first time. Approximately 180 nations will participate in a procession through Paris, showcasing prominent landmarks, including the Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde.
This inclusive ceremony will be accessible to the public along the route, with more formal festivities gathered at Place de la Concorde for ticketholders. The closing ceremony is on September 8.
Venues for Paralympics Events
Reinforcing the tradition of recent Paralympic Games, locations used in the 2024 Olympics will host these events.
- Para athletics: Stade de France
- Blind football: A specially constructed stadium near the Eiffel Tower
- Para taekwondo and wheelchair fencing: Grand Palais
- Wheelchair tennis: Roland Garros
- Para-equestrian: Chateau de Versailles
- Para triathlon: Through the streets and in the River Seine of Paris
Paralympic Sports
The number of sanctioned Paralympic sports by the International Paralympic Committee is 28, with 22 taking place in the summer. These include:
- Para archery
- Para athletics
- Para badminton
- Blind football
- Boccia
- Para canoe
- Para cycling
- Para equestrian
- Goalball
- Para judo
- Para powerlifting
- Para rowing
- Shooting para sport
- Sitting volleyball
- Para swimming
- Para table tennis
- Para taekwondo
- Para triathlon
- Wheelchair basketball
- Wheelchair fencing
- Wheelchair rugby
- Wheelchair tennis
Notably, ParalympicsGB will not compete in blind football, goalball, and sitting volleyball, restricting their participation to 19 sports.
New Paralympic Sports
Recent Games introduced two new sports each time: para canoe and para triathlon debuted at Rio 2016, while Tokyo 2020 included para badminton and para taekwondo. However, no new sports will be added in Paris 2024.
Number of Gold Medals
In total, 549 gold medals are available across the 22 Paralympic sports during this event.
Athletes’ Village
Approximately 4,400 athletes from 180 delegations will reside in the Paralympic village, covering an area equivalent to 70 football fields. Each delegation has a designated section.
The village emphasizes accessibility, with pathways designed for ease of movement for wheelchair users. Electric vehicles will transport athletes around the area.
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