Paris 2024 Paralympics: Excitement Builds as Opening Ceremony Approaches, Wood’s Injury Opens Door for Hull
Salekin
Editor & Writer
The Paris 2024 Paralympics Games kick off today!
A new type of advertisement is now appearing on the walls of metro stations in Paris. Alongside the image of Paralympic athletes in motion—running, jumping, and maneuvering wheelchairs—a bold declaration reads: “Game [is not] over”. I mean, the game isn’t over yet. The organizers of Paris 2024 are reminding everyone that the summer sports festival is not over yet. The Paralympic Games start on Wednesday night. All Parisians are welcome to this event.
No worries about ticket sales
While there are concerns about falling ticket sales and French audience interest in disability sports, recent news has been quite positive. Out of the 25 lakh tickets, more than 20 lakh have already been sold. Tickets for several events are completely sold out. The regional government of Île-de-France has even announced plans to make the Paris Metro accessible to wheelchair users, following long-standing demands.
Tonight is the grand opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Paralympics will be held in the heart of the city on Wednesday night. Organizers say it will be a “huge hug” for the 44,000 athletes expected to compete over the next 11 days.
Starting from the Champs-Élysées
The opening procession will commence at the iconic Champs-Élysées, traversing the length of this celebrated boulevard. Then another traditional ceremony will be held under the open sky at Place de la Concorde. With Paris running on the theme of opening up to all, organizers say they want to extend that message specifically to people with disabilities.
“This event in the heart of the city is a symbol of our mission”
“This event in the heart of the city is a symbol of our mission to put the inclusion of people with disabilities at the heart of our society,” said Paris 2024 President Tony Estange.
International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons has also promised an incredible event
He said, “I love the French saying ‘la fête continue’ or the festival will continue. Tomorrow’s opening ceremony is going to be great, unbelievable, no doubt about that.”
He added
“Through this event on Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde, it’s as if the entire city is embracing the Paralympic athletes and the Paralympic movement. We see this as a huge hug for our athletes, and it couldn’t be more positive.”
The challenge of encouraging the French
Estange insists that attracting people to disability sports in France, and in particular in Paris, is a work in progress. About half of the number of visitors who came for the Olympics, three hundred thousand visitors, are estimated to come for the Paralympics. As a result, encouraging locals has become even more important. Bringing spectators to the 80,000-capacity Stade de France, where the track and field events will once again be held, is a major challenge. Organizers are now scrambling to make extra space at the Eiffel Tower Arena and Chateau de Versailles as ticket sales soar, as tickets for seven venue events are already sold out.
Locals remain somewhat skeptical
Skepticism still remains among some locals, especially as the timing of the Games coincides with ‘les vacances’ or the end of summer holidays and the opening of schools. However, Estange said, this schedule is deliberate. “We have deliberately organized the games to coincide with the opening of schools in France because we want to take advantage of that,” he said.
“The opening of schools is a good time to send a message to students”
“The opening of schools is a good time to send a message to students, to show inclusion and accessibility, to provide opportunities for education. I believe the French people will be able to take this Paralympics as their own. With the Olympics we have achieved more than we ever dreamed of,” he added. , created a real buzz, and I believe the Paralympics will do the same.
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Guaranteed unique sports performance
Another reason for optimism is that exciting high-level sporting events are guaranteed. New fans will be introduced to the unique events of disability sports, such as the speed and aggression of wheelchair rugby or the precision and technique of boccia. They will come to various events at a time when the performance of parasport is improving at an almost exponential rate. This time a record number of countries, 182, are competing, and in the words of Parsons, “world records will be broken”.
Paralympic GB expectations
Paralympic GB will be hoping to repeat their great performance in Tokyo three years ago. Finishing second on the medal table and winning a total of 124 medals, it was one of the best British performances at the Paralympics, especially in the face of the challenges of COVID-19. Aiming to win between 100 and 140 medals this time, and with 215 athletes and guides in the squad, Paralympic GB is determined to maintain its record of never finishing outside the top five nations.
flag bearer
On Tuesday, Terry Bywater and Lucy Shukur were announced as British flag bearers for the opening ceremony. Wheelchair tennis athlete Shukur will compete in his fifth Games, while Terry Bywater will add another to his six previous appearances in wheelchair basketball. “I feel pretty emotional,” Bywater said. It’s my seventh Games, I’m 7 vests too – so it all seems a bit crazy now. I’m just super-, super-proud.”
“It’s not just about me, it’s for the 215 athletes here”
“It’s not just about me, it’s for the 215 athletes here, all the staff, my family, my wife, my son, my deceased family members who have always followed me – I will do it for everyone,” he added.
Importance of Paralympics
The Paralympics is not just a sports competition. It is a source of inspiration. It proves that obstacles are not obstacles. It shows that anything is possible with the right attitude and effort.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics will be a unique celebration
The Paris 2024 Paralympics will be a unique celebration for people with disabilities around the world. It’s a place where aspirations can take flight. Hopefully, this event will leave a lasting impression on everyone’s mind.
India’s Paralympic Team Expectations
India’s performance in the Paralympics is also noteworthy. In the last Tokyo Paralympics, India won a total of 19 medals including 5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze. The Indian Paralympic team hopes to do better this year. The team consists of several experienced and young talented athletes. Together they will fight to win medals for the country.
Social Impact of the Paralympics
The Paralympics is not only a sporting event but also has a major social impact. It helps to change society’s attitude towards people with disabilities. Recognizes their abilities and achievements. Organizers hope the Paris 2024 Paralympics will create greater awareness of people with disabilities and help integrate them into mainstream society.
The commercial side of the Paralympics
The commercial side of the Paralympics is also significant. Major companies are now sponsoring the Paralympics and signing contracts with athletes with disabilities. It is helping to ensure the financial stability of the Paralympics and making disability sports more popular.
Conclusion
The Paris 2024 Paralympics is not just a sporting event, it is a movement. It can bring positive change in society. Hopefully, this event will be a source of inspiration for everyone.
finally
The opening ceremony of the Paralympics is tonight. Sports lovers from all over the world are expected to enjoy this event. Good luck to all the athletes.
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