The word ‘para’ comes from Greek and roughly means ‘alongside’. And hence the name Paralympics which are traditionally held two weeks after the conclusion of Olympics. Paris is hosting the 17th Summer Paralympics for the first time in history and the event will see participation of nearly 4400 athletes from around the world. The first ever Paralympics were held in 1960 but back then they were known as The Stoke Mandeville Games. The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics were delayed by the onset of covid pandemic and were held a year later.

Here’s everything you need to know about Paris Paralympics 2024:-

Paralympics 2024: How Paris Won The Bid?

Since 2001, the Paralympics are held by the same city that has won the bid to host the Olympics. Five cities initially bid to host the 2024 Summer Games before three opted out from the race citing various reasons. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) then awarded the 2024 Games to Paris and the subsequent one to Los Angeles.

How Many Sports Will be Part of Paralympics 2024? 

A total of 22 sports are going to be featured at the sporting spectacle.

Here’s a full list

1. Blind football
2. Boccia
3. Goalball
4. Para-archery
5. Para-athletics
6. Para-badminton
7. Para-canoe
8. Para-cycling
9. Para-equestrian
10. Para-judo
11. Para-powerlifting
12. Para-rowing
13. Para-swimming
14. Para-table tennis
15. Para-taekwondo
16. Para-triathlon
17. Shooting Para-sport
18. Sitting volleyball
19. Wheelchair basketball
20. Wheelchair fencing
21. Wheelchair rugby
22. Wheelchair tennis

Paralympics 2024: The Venues

1. Stade de France: Para athletics
2. Roland-Garros Stadium: Wheelchair tennis
3. Chateau de Versailles: Para equestrian
4. Paris La Defense Arena: Para swimming
5. Eiffel Tower Stadium: Blind football
6. Invalides: Para archery
7. Pont Alexandre III: Para triathlon
8. Grand Palais: Wheelchair fencing, Para taekwondo
9. Champ de Mars Arena: Para judo, wheelchair rugby
10. Porte de la Chapelle Arena: Para badminton, Para powerlifting
11. South Paris Arena: Boccia, Para table tennis, goalball
12. Chateauroux Shooting Centre: Shooting Para sport
13. North Paris Arena: Sitting volleyball
14. Bercy Arena: Wheelchair basketball
15. Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines Velodrome: Para cycling (track)
16. Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium: Para canoe, Para rowing
17. Clichy-Sous-Bois: Para cycling (road)
18. Paralympic marathon route: Starts from Saint-Denis and ends at the Esplanades des Invalides

Frequently Asked Questions about the Paris Olympics

When do the Paris Paralympics start?

The competitions will get underway from August 29 and conclude on September 8.

Will there be an opening ceremony?

Yes, on August 28th. Like the Olympics, the opening ceremony for Paralympics will also be held outside the stadium. The parade route will be between Champs-Elysees and the Place de la Concorde.

How many delegations will be part of 2024 Summer Paralympics?

As per official estimates, this will be a record-breaking event as far as the participation goes. There will be a total of 168 delegations that include 167 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) plus Refugee Paralympic Team and Neutral Paralympic Athletes.

How many athletes will be part of the event?

Around 4400 athletes will be featuring across 22 sports.

How many athletes are part of the Refugee team?

A total of eight athletes will be representing the Refugee Paralympic Team

And what about the neutral athletes?

Up to 96 athletes will feature as neutral which include 96 from Russia and 8 from Belarus.

How many medals are on offer?

There will be as many as 549 medal events spread across 22 sports.

A record event for female athletes

Out of the 4400 athletes, 1983 will be females which is nearly 45 per cent of the proportion – three per cent more than that of Tokyo Paralympics (1846 female athletes).

Which country is sending the largest delegation?

China. They have a delegation of 282 athletes of which 158 are females and 124 males.

Which is the most successful country in Paralympics history?

USA. The nation boasts of a total of 2283 medals including 808 gold, 736 silver and 739 bronze.

Who is the most successfull athlete in the history of Paralympic Games?

USA swimmer Trischa Zorn-Hudson is the most successful athlete in Paralympic Games’ history. She won a jawdropping 55 medals that include 41 gold, 9 silver and five bronze across seven events.

Will new events feature in Paris?

No new sport has been included for the Paris Paralympics. Badminton and Taekwondo events have been expanded and will offer more medals this time around.