(Paris) Let the Games begin, again.
The Paris Paralympic Games will begin on Wednesday for some 4,400 disabled athletes, who will compete in 22 different disciplines over 11 days for a total of 549 medals.
The French capital, which has just hosted the Olympic Games, will be the backdrop for the world’s biggest sporting event, which will draw on several facilities already in place for the presentation of the Paralympic events.
The famous Place de la Concorde, which hosted the skateboarding, breaking and 3×3 basketball events during the Olympics, will be the scene of the opening ceremony.
The equestrian events will return to the prestigious Château de Versailles. The Grand Palais will host the wheelchair fencing events. Les Invalides will present the para-archery competitions.
The stadium built in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, which hosted beach volleyball competitions during the Olympic Games, will feature blind football, an adaptation of soccer for blind or visually impaired athletes, played five-on-five with a ball containing bells.
“We have some monstrous iconic sites, and we’re going to have a great time,” said French paratriathlon champion Alexis Hanquinquant. “Paris is the most beautiful city in the world. We’re going to have an exceptional Paralympic Games.”
Of the 22 Paralympic disciplines, only two do not have an Olympic equivalent – goalball and boccia.
Compared to the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games programme, 10 events have been added to provide more opportunities for women and athletes with severe disabilities.
The Paralympic flame was lit last Saturday in Stoke Mandeville, a village northwest of London that is considered the birthplace of the Paralympic Games. It will travel through the Channel Tunnel before visiting many cities in France and arriving at its destination on Wednesday for the lighting of the Paralympic cauldron at the opening ceremony.
The excitement is starting to build on the city streets as Parisians begin to return from their summer holidays – the French capital was deserted in early August, with most holidaymakers heading to the beaches. For those who missed the Olympics, the Paralympics will be another chance to experience a unique event.
The athletes – the Paralympians – will compete on the first day of competition on Thursday, with medals being awarded in taekwondo, para table tennis, para swimming and para track cycling.
As was the case during the Olympic Games, medals will be distributed every day for 11 days.