The 2024 Summer Paralympic Games are set to be an exciting and historic event. Here's everything you should know about this upcoming celebration of para-athletic excellence.
Dates and Location
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August to 8 September 2024. This marks the first time Paris will host the Summer Paralympics, making it a historic occasion for both the city and France.
Participation and Events
Approximately 4,400 athletes from around the world will compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports over 11 days of competition. The Games are expected to see a record number of National Paralympic Committees participating, leading to increased diversity and improved gender parity.
Venues and Accessibility
Most Paralympic events will be held in and around Paris, including the suburbs of Saint-Denis and Versailles, and Vaires-sur-Marne just outside the city. This centralised approach will make it easier for spectators to travel between venues. Iconic locations such as the Chateau de Versailles for Para equestrian events and the Grand Palais for wheelchair fencing and Para taekwondo will provide stunning backdrops for the competitions.
Ticketing and Viewership
The organisers have made a concerted effort to make the Games accessible to as many people as possible:
- Half of the 2.8 million tickets cost €25 or less
- 500,000 tickets are priced at €15 each
- A 'Discovery Pass' is available for €24, allowing fans to access several Para sports sessions on the same day
In a historic first, all Para sports will be broadcast live, with 300 hours of coverage set to be televised.
Gender Parity and Inclusivity
The Paris 2024 programme will feature a record 236 medal events for women and at least 1,859 slots for female athletes - the most ever in Paralympic Games history. Additionally, the Paralympic mascot, Phryge, features a disability for the first time, represented by a running blade.
British Participation
As of June 2024, several British athletes have already been selected for the Games. These include:
- Hannah Cockroft, seven-time Paralympic champion in T34 100m and 800m
- Aled Davies, three-time Paralympic Gold medallist in F63 Shot Put
- Suzanna Hext, reigning World Champion swimmer in the S5/SB4/SM5 classification
Unique Features
Some interesting aspects of the Paris 2024 Paralympics include:
- The Olympic and Paralympic Games will share the same logo for the first time
- The Paralympic Torch Relay will involve British and French athletes meeting halfway through the Channel Tunnel
- The Paralympic medals will feature an embedded original piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower
Resources
- "2024 Summer Paralympics - Wikipedia" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Summer_Paralympics
- "FIRST 10 PARA ATHLETICS NAMES ANNOUNCED FOR PARIS 2024 PARALYMPIC GAMES" - https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/news-and-features/first-10-para-athletics-names-announced-for-paris-2024-paralympic-games/
- "100 days to go: Top things to know about Paralympic Games Paris 2024" - https://olympics.com/en/news/top-things-to-know-paralympic-games-paris-2024
- "Swimmer Suzanna Hext selected for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games" - https://www.teambath.com/2024/05/20/suzanna-hext-paris-2024-
paralympic-games/
Other Information
- International Paralympic Committee - https://www.paralympic.org/
- Paris 2024 Official Website - https://www.paris2024.org/en/
- British Paralympic Association - https://paralympics.org.uk/