Paralympic Games One Year Away in Paris, Could be ‘Most Spectacular’ in History

Aug 24, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Torchbearers Yui Kamiji JPN (Wheelchair Tennis), Shunsuke Uchida JPN (Boccia) and Karin Morisaki (Paralympic Powerlifting) light the Paralympic flame in the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for theTokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Mandatory Credit: Bob Martin/OIS Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Bob Martin/OIS Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

With one year to go, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons believes Paris 2024 is on the course to deliver the most spectacular Paralympic Games in history.

The Brazilian believes world class sport, iconic venues, a first Games since the pandemic, and a revolutionary approach by the Organising Committee, are the perfect ingredients to deliver a Paralympics that will surpass the achievements of any previous Games edition.

Andrew Parsons said: “As we reach the one year to go milestone, all the stars are aligning for Paris 2024 to deliver tremendous and memorable Paralympic Games, setting a benchmark for all future editions.

“The Organising Committee has promised innovative and revolutionary Paralympics, Games Wide Open to all. To date, they are delivering on all their promises and with 12 months to go I could not be more excited for the Games and the legacy they will deliver.

“Having attended many Para sport events this year, the level of sport performance is quite simply incredible. With the environment Paris 2024 is creating for athletes next summer, which includes many stunning sport venues at the heart of the city, I think the sporting action will surpass all of our expectations.

“These will be the first Paralympics in Europe since London 2012 and the first to be he held with spectators since Rio 2016. This combination, together with accessible and affordable tickets, will ensure we have massive crowds packing the venues, bringing the best out of our athletes. I think the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are going to be spectacular.”

AIM TO SELL EVERY PARALYMPIC TICKET

With tickets going on-sale at family friendly and affordable prices from Monday 9 October on a first-come, first served basis, the IPC President hopes that all 2.8 million tickets are sold.

Half of all tickets cost EUR 25 or less while tickets for the 22 sports range from EUR 15 to EUR 100.

“I think there will be a massive demand for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games tickets once they go on-sale on 9 October,” explained Parsons.

“The Paralympic Games has always prided itself on offering accessible tickets to all, and Paris 2024 is no different. We have worked hard with the Organising Committee to ensure affordable and family friendly prices for world class sport in absolutely stunning and iconic venues.

“The Paralympic Games are one of the world’s few mega sport events that you can afford to attend with all your friends and family; it’s what makes the atmosphere at the Games so unique and special for everyone who attends.

“Over the last decade we have witnessed a dramatic improvement in athletic performance across all 22 sports, while the depth of talent and level of competition has never been better. In terms of sport performance there is no doubt that Paris 2024 will be the best Paralympic Games ever.

“As with every Games, we hope we can sell every single ticket to spectators once they go on-sale on 9 October. With world class sport, stunning venues, and affordable tickets we aim to achieve this goal.”

The closest the Paralympic Games has come to selling out was London 2012 when 2.72 million tickets (95% of capacity) were sold. Had it not been for the pandemic then Tokyo 2020 would likely have been the first Paralympic Games to sell-out after there were 3.1 million requests for tickets in the first few months of sales.

PARALYMPIC DAY TO TAKE PLACE SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER

After the success of its first edition last year, when over 40,000 people came to the Place de la Bastille, Paralympic Day returns on Sunday 8 October for a spectacular, popular and festive taste of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Paralympic Day is an event dedicated to the promotion of Para sports and Para athletes supported by the IPC, Paris 2024, the French Ministry of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF) and the City of Paris.

Paralympic Day will take place in the Place de la République and has been chosen because it is a symbolic and historical place of claim. Offering universal accessibility, Paris 2024 wants to promote access to sport for persons with disabilities. It will introduce the public to many Paralympic disciplines, exceptional sports performances with Paralympic champions, and will offer the chance to meet French and international Paralympic athletes.

PARALYMPICS ALREADY DELIVERY A LEGACY

With one year until the spectacular opening ceremony at the heart of the city on the iconic Champs-Elysées and Place de la Concorde, the IPC President has said the Paralympic Games is already having an impact on French society, delivering a transformational legacy.

In April, President Macron announced a new policy which prioritises accessibility, education, and employment for persons with disabilities. It includes a commitment to invest EUR 1.5 billion to improve the accessibility of places of daily life. The City of Paris is also investing EUR 125 million in accessibility projects.

Andrew Parsons said: “The Paralympic Games are unique. They showcase world class sport while also having a tremendous transformational societal impact on the host city and country.

“Hosting the Paralympic Games has acted as a catalyst for the French government and City of Paris to focus more on investment and initiatives that will not only improve the lives of France’s 12 million persons with disabilities but also benefit tourists and anyone with accessibility needs. These legacies are already having an impact even before the Opening Ceremony.”

PARIS 2024 SET FOR RECORD AND MOST DIVERSE NPC PARTICIPATION

Parsons is confident that a record number of National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) will compete at Paris 2024, surpassing the 164 that competed at the London 2012.

In his view, the maturing of NPCs and International Federations, together with an investment of more than EUR 30 million over the last decade by the IPC into membership programmes, will result in greater NPC participation, increased diversity, improved gender parity, and stronger talent depth and competition across all 22 sports.

“While the number of athletes who can compete at the Paralympics is capped at 4,400, I am confident that around 180 NPCs will take part at Paris 2024, beating the record set at London 2012,” said Parsons.

“Over the last decade the IPC has worked tirelessly with our members to maximise what each brings to the Paralympic Movement. This has included organising multiple sport development programmes which have increased the number and diversity of athletes, coaches and officials across the world.

“By supporting our members globally, we have seen a greater diversification of athlete talent which is best highlighted by the fact that a record 86 NPCs won at least one medal at Tokyo 2020.

“At Paris 2024, there will be a record 235 medal events for women, and more competition opportunities for athletes with high support needs than ever before. With almost double the number of female athlete slots compared to the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be our biggest and most diverse Games yet.”

The IPC President also confirmed that the participation of NPC Russia and NPC Belarus at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be decided by the IPC membership at the IPC General Assembly in Bahrain on 29 September.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place between 28 August and 8 September 2024. To register for Paralympic tickets, please visit: Tickets.paris2024.org

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with the International Paralympic Committee. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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