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Reuters

The Paris Games will represent a turning point for the Paralympic movement, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons said on the eve of the opening ceremony.
More than 1.75 million tickets had been sold by Friday ahead of Wednesday’s start of the Paralympics, which will run until September 8.
“The Paralympic movement has become more relevant than ever,” Parsons said on Tuesday.
“But it’s also because of the ambition of the Paris 2024 organising committee. In many areas, they are innovative and we’re part of that. I think there will be a ‘before Paris’ and ‘after Paris’ for the Paralympic movement.”
More than a month after the opening ceremony of the Olympics on the Seine, the Paralympic Games’ opening event will also take place outside a stadium, this time on the Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde.
“To us, it’s like the city of Paris is giving this gigantic hug to our athletes, embracing the Paralympic movement,” said Parsons, who was elected IPC president in 2017.

“This is very special because it’s like: ‘look, we talk about 4,400 athletes with disability, but you’re part of what we are as a city, because we are a diverse city.’
“After the Olympics and seeing what has happened here, we can’t wait for the opening ceremony. It was incredible. People just happy and proud, and this is what we want to see during the Paralympics.
“From the feedback we are getting, [we think] it will happen [again].”
Parsons said the conversion of the Olympic Games venues for the Paralympics had presented “no major challenges or difficulties” and that the city was ready.
“If someone were to ask me if the city is ready, I would say yes,” he said.
“You have to compare where Paris was seven years ago and where the city is now in terms of inclusion. This is also thanks to the Paralympics.”
Ahead of the opening ceremony on Wednesday, Parsons praised the efforts of the French government.
“Some €1.5 billion (US$1.7b) have already been invested nationwide in projects that focus on inclusion and accessibility. The city of Paris also invested €125m in these areas,” he added.
A big focus is on the transport system. Some 1,000 taxis have been converted to attend the needs of people with a disability. In addition, more than 200 buses were converted to carry six wheelchairs each.

According to Parsons, the performance of the French team, composed of 237 athletes, would have an influence on maintaining the enthusiasm seen at the end of July and the beginning of August.
“We hope France can win a couple of medals, especially in the very first days – it’s important,” the Brazilian, 47, said.
The IPC president acknowledged the Paralympic Games would take place in a different context in France to the Olympics, as negotiations for the formation of a new government had resumed and the school year started next Monday.
“It’s a different context but with the Paralympic Games, we offer a little bit of a break from politics for [those who need it]. I think we will experience quite the same atmosphere,” Parsons said.


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Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Paris Games will be turning point for Paralympics, says IPC president on eve of opening

Andrew Parsons says converting the Olympic Games venues for the Paralympics had presented “no major challenges or difficulties”. Photo: Kyodo

Andrew Parsons praised the efforts of the French government and public before Wednesday’s opening ceremony. Photo: dpa

The Paralympic Games’ opening ceremony will take place on the Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde. Photo: Kyodo

Paris Paralympics: ‘trying new sports’ may be best way to improve Hong Kong’s future haul

Twenty-three Hong Kong athletes will take part in the Paris Paralympics across eight sports. Photo: China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee

John Leung, chef de mission of Hong Kong’s Paris Paralympics delegation. Photo: CHKPC

Daniel Chan Ho-yuen (right) and Wong Ting-ting will be the flag-bearers for Hong Kong. Photo: CHKPC

Jackie Chan to carry torch ahead of Paralympics opening ceremony

Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan will carry the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games’ flame in the French capital on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Wheelchair fencing medallist Emmanuelle Assmann holds the Paralympics torch after it was lit in the UK, at the entrance of the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, northern France on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Paris Paralympics: Hong Kong pair ‘honoured’ to carry city’s flag at opening ceremony

Badminton pair Chu Man-kai (left) and Daniel Chan get ready to leave for Paris from Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Eugene Lee

The Hong Kong delegation gets ready to leave for the Paris Paralympic Games. Photo: Eugene Lee

Paris Paralympics: athletes’ social media accounts bypass the traditional with edgy take

American Matt Stutzman, nicknamed the Armless Archer, won silver in the men’s archery individual compound open at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Photo: AFP

China’s Zheng Tao celebrates breaking the world record after winning the men’s 100m backstroke – S6 at London 2012 Paralympic Games. Photo: AFP

Paralympics tickets prove popular with Parisians who snubbed, or missed out on, Olympics

The venue of the beach volleyball at the Champ-de-Mars, at the base of the Eiffel Tower, is being converted into a pitch for blind football, one of the more popular events. Photo: AP

Several sessions of wheelchair fencing and para taekwondo at the Grand Palais were almost sold out, organisers say. Photo: AP

Sport

Thanks to the ‘innovative’ organisers, Andrew Parsons believes there will be a ‘before Paris’ and ‘after Paris’ for the Paralympic movement


Thanks to the ‘innovative’ organisers, Andrew Parsons believes there will be a ‘before Paris’ and ‘after Paris’ for the Paralympic movement.


Paris