Great news for all sports enthusiasts out there – the 2024 Paralympics are just around the corner, following hot on the heels of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This year, the Paralympics will also be held in Paris, featuring 22 sports and 4,400 athletes from all over the world. The Games are set to begin on August 28 and will run until September 8, showcasing both individual and team events.
This will be the first time that the Paralympic Summer Games will be hosted in the City of Light, promising an unforgettable experience for both athletes and spectators. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming 2024 Paralympics, from how to watch the action to the lineup of sports that will be featured.
For viewers in the United States, you can catch all the excitement of the Paris 2024 Paralympics through the Peacock app for streaming, as well as live coverage on NBC, CNBC, and USA Network. Additionally, the official Paralympics YouTube channel and the International Paralympic Committee website will provide comprehensive coverage of the events.
Notably, this year’s coverage of the Paralympics will be historic, as NBC will have multiple hosts on-site to provide real-time updates and commentary. Sports commentator Andrea Joyce and former Paralympic track and field athlete Lacey Henderson will lead the broadcast, with other anchors joining from a studio in the US. Peacock is set to offer over 1,500 hours of live coverage, making it the go-to destination for Paralympic content.
The 2024 Paralympics will showcase a total of 22 sports, including both traditional favorites like para athletics and wheelchair basketball, as well as newer additions like badminton and tae kwon do. Two sports unique to the Paralympics are boccia and goalball, offering a diverse range of competitions for athletes and fans alike.
The opening ceremony for the 2024 Paralympic Games is scheduled for August 28, starting at 2:00 p.m. EST. The event will kick off with a grand parade along the iconic Champs-Elysées, followed by an official ceremony at the Place de la Concorde public square. With a capacity for up to 65,000 spectators, the ceremony is set to be a groundbreaking display of inclusivity and celebration of Paralympic athletes.
To commemorate the occasion, the medals for the Paris 2024 Paralympics will contain a small piece of original iron from the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing the spirit of the Games and honoring diversity and inclusion. Designed in collaboration with French jeweler Chaumet, the medals will feature physical engravings and braille, making them truly unique keepsakes for the athletes.
The Paralympic Games have a rich history, originating 76 years ago in the aftermath of World War II. Dr. Ludwig Guttmann’s initiative to honor injured war veterans led to the creation of the Stoke Mandeville Games, which eventually evolved into the Paralympics we know today. Since its inception in Rome in 1960, the Games have continued to grow, with both Summer and Winter editions held every four years.
As we look forward to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, let’s celebrate the incredible achievements of Paralympic athletes and the spirit of inclusivity that defines these Games. Don’t miss out on this historic event that promises to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.