Picture a stage where athletes defy the odds and transform their perceived limitations into displays of skill, speed, and strength. The athletes in the Paralympics do just this. The games are where extraordinary athletes redefine the limits of possibility and inspire the world with their determination, resilience, and triumphs.
There is a lot of news about this exciting event. Here’s what you need to know for the 2024 Paralympics:
What are the Paralympics?
The summer Paralympics are an international multi-sports competition that takes place every four years on the same calendar as the Olympic Games. However, the Paralympics feature athletes with a range of physical disabilities, such as amputations, other mobility impairments, blindness, and cerebral palsy.
The event began in 1948, when Ludwig Guttmann organized a sports competition for British World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries. A follow-up competition took place in 1952, 1960, and 1976, and evolved into the Paralympics. In 2001, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee agreed that every city that bids to host the Olympics will also host the Paralympics.
This year, there are 22 different events, including many of the same events as the Olympics such as basketball, track, and swimming. In some cases, equipment may be modified for specific impairments.
Where and when can I watch the Paralympics?
The games run from August 28 through September 8, 2024, just after the Paris Olympics conclude. Select events will air on CNBC, USA Network, and NBC. All 22 Paralympic events will be available to stream on Peacock.
The 2024 Paralympics will also take place in Paris, France. Athletes will compete at 20 different competition venues, including iconic sites like the Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower, and the Champs de Mars.
Paris’s reported accessibility issues pose a potential obstacle for athletes, their families, and attendees of the events. The city has introduced a new accessible bus and taxi system, but the Metro and many parts of the city remain difficult for those with limited mobility to access. On the positive side, hosting the games in Paris has shone a new spotlight on these accessibility issues and empowered disability rights advocates to push for more changes in the city’s infrastructure and transportation options.
Who is participating in the Paralympics?
The Paralympics are a major event on the international sporting calendar. There will be more than 4,000 athletes from all around the world competing in 549 medal events. Each country’s final teams will be decided after trials are completed in late July. Check out the growing list of Team USA Paralympic athletes.
What are the most popular Paralympic sports?
The Paralympics blossomed from just one sport, Archery in 1948, to a worldwide competition with 22 summer events and five winter events. Although all of the sports are exciting to watch, the more popular sports in this year’s games are wheelchair basketball, track, and wheelchair tennis. Don’t miss out on these captivating sports!
ⒸOIS By Ros Dumlao | For the IPC
Why watch the Paralympics?
The Paralympics are a display of the strength of the human spirit. The games empower athletes with disabilities and inspire others to think differently about disability, whether that be within the realm of sports, the changing structure of metropolitan areas, or in the challenges the athletes have overcome even in their everyday lives.
Watch the flame of the human spirit burn bright alongside the Paralympic torch this summer. Keep up to date with finalized teams and news surrounding the games.
