What to expect at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games 

In the words of Andrew Parsons, turn the key and put it in Paralympic mode! The Olympic Games have just come to a close, but the party will continue from the 28th August onwards with the Paralympic Games. People should "recharge their batteries and clear their hangovers" because the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be the "party of your life."

After what feels like just a few days, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have come to an end. An incredible array of talent, determination, hard work, hope and of course, sport, filled the streets of Paris for over two weeks. But fear not, the party will continue from the 28th August onwards with the Opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, in the heart of the city at Place de la Concorde.

This year's Paralympic Games promise to be the "most spectacular Paralympic Games in history," said Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), at a press conference for the event today at Pavillon EDF – a longstanding partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Parsons assured the crowd at the conference that the preparation for the Paralympic Games was more than complete. "We had the test event, the Olympic Games. Now it's time for 12 days of top class sport events that will change how you think of a person with a disability," he said.

"They are not playing games here," he said, talking about the 4,400 of the worlds best Paralympians taking part in the events of Paris 2024.

"They are going to show that by training just as hard as their Olympic counterparts, they can deliver a sporting performance that will blow your mind." added Parsons.

The Paralympic Games, which are suspected to reach a global broadcast viewership of 4.25 billion, are the only global event which persons with a disability are at the front and centre.

"French support can propel French Paralympians"

Looking back on the Olympic Games, Parsons noted the respectable number of medals won by Team France. He attributed some of this success to the "strength, speed and skill that came from the energy of the home crowds."

Support can be the difference between silver and gold, according to Parsons as he urged French supporters to get to the Paralympic Games. He noted the affordable price of the events, with some tickets costing €15.

What Happens After?

Anne Hidalgo – the mayor of Paris – warns that people should prepare for a cultural shock once the Paralympic Games are over and that people will have a different outlook on these athletes in future.

Moreover on this, President of the French Sports and Paralympic Committee and Paralympic athlete Marie-Amélie Le Fur says the ambitions for these Games is to "change the view in society for not just athletes, but people with a disability."

"It's on us to develop societal views, we need to take this in our hands and make sure it will change our society." she said.