The Olympics in Paris provided us with almost three weeks of gripping entertainment – and now it’s time for athletes to shine at the Paralympics.
Superstars from around the world are set to compete at the Paralympic Games over the course of 11 days.
This year’s showpiece will see 549 events take place across 22 different sports and follows the summer Olympics as is tradition.
Among the sports will be the hugely popular wheelchair basketball, as well as athletics, table tennis and cycling.
Team GB will have a total of 215 athletes representing the nation in 19 of the sports.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 Paralympics.
When do the Paralympics start?
The 2024 Summer Paralympics start on Wednesday, August 28.
Where is it being held?
This year’s Paralympics is being held in Paris in France. The French capital also hosted the Olympics.
An opening ceremony will take place in Place de la Concorde, a major square in the city centre.
The Paralympic Games is always held in the same location as the Olympics.
What date does it finish?
The Paralympics will end on Sunday, September 8 with the competition lasting 11 days in total.
A closing ceremony will be held at the Stade de France.
Which sports are at the Paralympics?
As mentioned, there are a total of 22 sports at the Paralympics in 2024. They are as follows:
- Archery
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Boccia
- Cycling
- Road
- Track
- Equestrian
- Football 5-a-side
- Goalball
- Judo
- Paracanoe
- Paratriathlon
- Powerlifting
- Rowing
- Shooting
- Sitting volleyball
- Swimming
- Table tennis
- Taekwondo
- Wheelchair basketball
- Wheelchair fencing
- Wheelchair rugby
- Wheelchair tennis
Who is on Team GB?
Team GB will have representation across all but three of the sports in the Paralympics. Here are just a few of the big names to keep an eye out for.
Claire Taggart – boccia: Claire Taggart first represented Team GB at the Paralympics in 2016. She will be looking to add to her 2022 World Championship title by claiming her first ever Paralympic medal in Paris.
Funmi Oduwaiye – para athletics, shot put and discus: Funmi Oduwaiye only took up shot put and discuss one year ago but has already recorded fourth and sixth place finishes respectively at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships.
Hollie Arnold – para athletics, javelin: Hollie Arnold won her sixth consecutive javelin world title earlier this year in the F46 class. She made her Paralympic debut in 2008 at the age of 14 and has previously won gold and bronze at the Games.
Iona Winnifrith – swimming: Iona Winnifrith is Team GB’s youngest Paralympic swimmer at the age of just 13. She’s already won two European titles this year, though, so she means business.
Matt Bush – taekwondo: Matt Bush became the first GB male to win a gold medal in taekwondo at the world championships in 2019. He was previously a javelin and shot put athlete but switched to martial arts after suffering an injury – and what a decision it’s proved to be.
Thomas Young – para athletics, 100m and 200m: Thomas Young was a hero of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, winning gold in the 100m T38 class. He’ll be looking to defend his title in Paris.
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