Paris gets ready to host the thrilling Paralympic Games!
Organizers of this exciting event have confirmed their equal enthusiasm for the first Paralympic Games, just like they were for the Olympics, over four weeks ago. The Olympics kicked off in style along the Seine, sparking worldwide enthusiasm.
Over 4,400 athletes are set to participate in the Paralympic Games. Germany will field 143 athletes who aim to shine in 18 sports across Paris. At the opening ceremony, Edina Müller, a German canoeist with a disability, and Martin Schulz, a disabled triathlete, will lead the team. They'll carry the German flag down the Champs-Élysées to Place de la Concorde.
The Games will take place in Pará, where German athletes excitedly plan to display their prowess in sports such as canoeing and triathlon.
Did you know?
- Art, Sport, and Culture Integration: The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris saw a remarkable integration of art, sport, and culture. Thousands of events took place across 5,048 locations in France, marking an unprecedented milestone for cultural Olympiads[1].
- Refugee Athlete Support Programme: The Lornah Kiplagat Stadium in Eldoret, Kenya, hosted selection trials for refugee athletes in athletics, judo, and taekwondo, aiming to select athletes for the Refugee Olympic Team in Dakar 2026 or LA 2028[1].
The athletes have been training tirelessly to compete for medals and make their country proud.
Relevant Paralympians
- Jessica Long: An American athlete with 31 Paralympic medals under her belt, eager to secure her ninth World Championships spot after bagging two gold medals in Paris[2].
- Leanne Smith: A fellow two-time gold medalist from the US who set a new women’s 50-meter S3 world record in Paris[2].
- Matt Stutzman, also known as the "Armless Archer," is an American Paralympic champion who had a successful event in Paris and was named the best archer of 2024 by World Archery[5].
Germany, like many other nations, has a strong history of representation in the Paralympics and is expected to field a diverse team in 2024, making it one of the biggest events in history.
References: [1] Paris 2024, [2] Reuters, [3] CNN, [4] IPC, [5] World Archery
