2024 Paris Paralympics Close
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The 2024 Paralympic Games came to a spectacular close, despite the heavy rain, in the Stade de France in Paris on 8 September in a party atmosphere, led by 24 artists from the French electronic music scene.
4,400 athletes, with different degrees of disability, from 168 Paralympics delegations from around the world took part in the 11-day event.
Andrew Parsons, the President of the International Paralympic Committee, stated that France had set a “benchmark” for future editions of the Games.
And Tony Estanguet, the Chief Organiser of the Paris 2024 Games and the Olympics, held earlier, had created an “historic summer.”
And added that
“France had a date with history, and the country showed up…. [and that 2024 will be] …. etched in people’s memories.”
The Games have been described as “amazing” but what will be their legacy?
According to the Great Britain celebrated Paralympian, Tanni Grey-Thompson, the Games have “shown the world what sport can do” and that “the biggest change I have noticed is the attitude towards disabled people.”
The next edition of the Games will be held in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
