The Paris Paralympics 2024 is set to be a spectacular event, filled with thrilling sports, inspiring athletes, and unforgettable moments. Over 11 days, Paris will host elite athletes from around the globe, showcasing the best in Paralympic sports across a range of iconic venues.
Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for the Games.
Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games bring together over 4,400 athletes from 128 nations, competing across 22 sports for 549 medals. Every athlete participating in the Games has a physical or cognitive disability, making these competitions a powerful display of resilience, skill, and determination. The Paris 2024 Paralympics, the 17th Summer Games of its kind, promises to introduce new stars and deliver unforgettable performances.
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When Do the Paralympic Games Start?
The Paralympic Games will kick off with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 7 pm UK time and 10 pm Dubai UAE time. Unlike traditional ceremonies, Paris will host this event outside of a stadium, choosing instead to celebrate throughout the city. The festivities will start along the River Seine and progress to the Champs Élysées, culminating at Place de la Concorde, where the Paralympic torch will be lit. The first sporting events will begin the next day, August 29.
Where Will the Paralympic Sports Be Played?
Many of the venues used in the 2024 Summer Olympics will be repurposed for the Paralympic Games. Notable locations include:
- Stade de France: Hosting track and field events.
- La Défense Arena: Dedicated to swimming.
- Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome: Home to cycling events.
- Eiffel Tower Stadium: The site for blind football, replacing the beach volleyball arena from the Olympics.
All events, except for para-shooting, will take place in or around Paris. The para-shooting competition will be held in Châteauroux.
What Are the Key Events of Paralympic Games to Watch?
The Paralympic Games feature numerous key events, with track and field often taking center stage. The athletics competitions start on Friday, August 30, and run for 9 days, with medals awarded daily. Key dates include:
- Sunday, September 1: Finals day for para-rowing at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
- Monday, September 2: Wheelchair rugby final.
- Saturday, September 7: A packed schedule with 22 finals across various sports.
British Stars to Watch Out For
Team ParalympicsGB will send 215 athletes to the Paris Games, including 81 debutants, giving rise to new talents and potential heroes. Key British athletes to watch include:
- Archie Atkinson: A 19-year-old cyclist competing in the C4 pursuit.
- Iona Winnifrith: A 13-year-old swimming prodigy competing in the SB7 100m breaststroke and SM7 individual medley.
- Rachel Choong: A world champion in para-badminton, making her debut at the Games after her classification was included.
Understanding Paralympic Classification
Classification is crucial in Paralympic sports, ensuring athletes compete on a level playing field based on their type and severity of disability. This process is conducted by technical and medical experts who assess each athlete to place them in the appropriate category. The system aims to maintain fair competition but can also be a source of disappointment for athletes whose impairments are deemed not severe enough. The debate continues on whether the classification system should be expanded for greater inclusivity or streamlined to enhance competitiveness.
How to Watch the Paralympic Games?
There are still about 500,000 tickets available for the Games, particularly for track and field events at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France. Additional tickets may be released for sports such as wheelchair fencing, para-taekwondo, para-cycling, para-equestrian, triathlon, para-shooting, and blind football.
- In the UK, Channel 4 will provide extensive coverage with over 1,300 hours of live broadcasting and up to 18 live streams on its YouTube channel. The coverage will be inclusive, featuring subtitles, closed audio descriptions, and British Sign Language signing for selected programs.
- The BBC will also offer radio coverage to ensure that everyone can enjoy the Games.
- Channel 9 in Australia is also provided the coverage.
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How to watch Olympics 2024 in UAE online?
How to stream the Olympics in the UAE. The Games can be watched on Tod, an app from beIN Sports. Different packages available are available, starting at $3 per day with streaming access available for up to two devices.
Final Thoughts
The Paris Paralympics 2024 is more than just a sporting event; it is a celebration of human spirit, perseverance, and achievement. Whether you are watching in person or from home, get ready for 11 days of extraordinary competition that will inspire, amaze, and captivate the world.
Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t miss a moment of the action!
