The 2024 Summer Paralympics, officially known as the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (French: Jeux paralympiques d’été de 2024), is set to be a landmark event in the history of parasports.
Scheduled to be held in Paris, France, from August 28 to September 8, 2024, these Games will mark the 17th edition of the Summer Paralympic Games.
This event will be the first time Paris hosts the Paralympics, making it a historic occasion for the city. The Games Wide Open (French: Ouvrons Grand les Jeux) is the motto of this event, reflecting the inclusive spirit and global reach of the Paralympic movement.
With 169 nations expected to participate, including teams from the Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) and the Refugee Paralympic Team, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will showcase the incredible talents of athletes across the world.
In this article, we will explore the various sports included in the 2024 Summer Paralympics and provide an overview of the number of events in each sport.
Overview of Sports in the 2024 Summer Paralympics
The Summer Paralympics feature a wide range of sports, each with its own set of events, classifications, and competitive formats.
The 2024 Games will include both well-established Paralympic sports and some newer additions, offering a diverse and exciting lineup for spectators and athletes alike.
The event will feature a total of 549 events across 22 sports, taking place in iconic venues such as Place de la Concorde (for the Opening Ceremony) and Stade de France (for the Closing Ceremony).
Archery (9 Events)
Archery is one of the traditional Paralympic sports, and the 2024 Games will feature nine events. Athletes with physical disabilities compete in individual and team events using recurve or compound bows. The competition is divided into various categories based on the athletes’ impairments, ensuring a level playing field.
Athletics (164 Events)
Athletics is the largest sport in the Paralympics, with a staggering 164 events. These include track and field events such as sprints, middle-distance and long-distance races, relays, shot put, javelin, and long jump. Athletes compete in different classes based on their disabilities, including visual impairments, limb deficiencies, and spinal cord injuries.
Badminton (16 Events)
Badminton made its Paralympic debut in the 2020 Tokyo Games and continues to be a popular sport. In 2024, there will be 16 events, including singles and doubles matches. Athletes compete in different classes based on their physical impairments, with wheelchair and standing categories.
Boccia (11 Events)
Boccia is a precision ball sport similar to bocce and is played by athletes with severe physical disabilities. The 2024 Games will feature 11 events, including individual, pairs, and team competitions. Boccia is a sport where strategic thinking and precision are paramount.
Cycling (51 Events)
Cycling is a prominent sport in the Paralympics, with events held both on the road and on the track. In 2024, there will be 51 events in total, with 34 road cycling events and 17 track cycling events.
Athletes compete in different classes, including those with visual impairments, limb deficiencies, and spinal cord injuries. Tandem cycling for visually impaired athletes, where they compete with a sighted pilot, is one of the highlights of the sport.
Equestrian (11 Events)
Equestrian sports have been a part of the Paralympics since 1996. In the 2024 Games, there will be 11 events, all of which are dressage-based.
Athletes with physical disabilities compete in individual and team events, demonstrating their skill and harmony with their horses. The competition is divided into different grades based on the severity of the athletes’ impairments.
Football 5-a-Side (1 Event)
Football 5-a-side is a popular sport for athletes with visual impairments. The 2024 Paralympics will feature one event in this sport, where teams of visually impaired players, guided by a sighted goalkeeper, compete in a fast-paced and highly skilled game.
Goalball (2 Events)
Goalball is a sport specifically designed for athletes with visual impairments. The 2024 Games will include two events: one for men and one for women. Teams of three players aim to score goals by throwing a ball with bells inside it into the opposing team’s net while using only their sense of hearing and touch to defend.
Judo (16 Events)
Judo is a martial art that has been a part of the Paralympics since 1988. The 2024 Games will feature 16 events, with athletes competing in different weight classes. Judo is unique in the Paralympic program as it is the only sport for visually impaired athletes.
Paracanoe (10 Events)
Paracanoe is a relatively new addition to the Paralympic program, having made its debut in 2016. The 2024 Games will include 10 events, with athletes competing in different classes based on their physical impairments. Paracanoe races are held over 200 meters, with athletes paddling either in a kayak (K) or a va’a (V) canoe.
Paratriathlon (11 Events)
Paratriathlon, which debuted in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, will feature 11 events in the 2024 Games. The sport involves a swim, bike, and run, with athletes competing in different classes based on their impairments. Paratriathlon is known for its endurance and versatility, requiring athletes to excel in three different disciplines.
Powerlifting (20 Events)
Powerlifting is a strength sport where athletes compete in the bench press. The 2024 Games will feature 20 events, with athletes competing in different weight classes. Powerlifting is open to athletes with physical disabilities, including those with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and cerebral palsy.
Rowing (5 Events)
Rowing made its Paralympic debut in 2008, and the 2024 Games will feature five events. Athletes compete in different boat classes, including single sculls, double sculls, and coxed fours. Rowing is a sport that requires strength, endurance, and teamwork.
Shooting (13 Events)
Shooting is a precision sport that has been a part of the Paralympics since 1976. The 2024 Games will feature 13 events, with athletes competing in different classes based on their physical impairments. The competition includes rifle and pistol events, with athletes aiming for the highest accuracy.
Sitting Volleyball (2 Events)
Sitting volleyball is a fast-paced sport for athletes with physical disabilities, particularly those with lower limb impairments.
The 2024 Paralympics will feature two events: one for men and one for women. Sitting volleyball is played on a smaller court with a lower net, and athletes must have at least one buttock in contact with the floor when playing the ball.
Swimming (141 Events)
Swimming is one of the most popular and diverse sports in the Paralympics, with 141 events scheduled for the 2024 Games.
Athletes with various physical and intellectual disabilities compete in different classes, with events ranging from sprints to long-distance swims. Swimming is known for its high level of competition and the wide range of impairments it accommodates.
Table Tennis (31 Events)
Table tennis is a fast-paced sport that has been part of the Paralympic program since 1960. The 2024 Games will feature 31 events, with athletes competing in different classes based on their physical impairments.
The competition includes both individual and team events, with players showcasing their agility, reflexes, and strategic thinking.
Taekwondo (10 Events)
Taekwondo is a martial art that made its Paralympic debut in the 2020 Tokyo Games. The 2024 Games will feature 10 events, with athletes competing in different weight classes. Taekwondo is known for its emphasis on kicking techniques, and the sport is open to athletes with limb impairments.
Wheelchair Basketball (2 Events)
Wheelchair basketball is one of the most popular and widely recognized Paralympic sports. The 2024 Games will feature two events: one for men and one for women. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced and highly competitive sport, requiring skill, teamwork, and physical endurance.
Wheelchair Fencing (16 Events)
Wheelchair fencing is a dynamic and fast-paced sport that has been part of the Paralympic program since 1960. The 2024 Games will feature 16 events, with athletes competing in different weapon categories: foil, epee, and sabre. Wheelchair fencing is open to athletes with physical disabilities, including those with spinal cord injuries and amputations.
Wheelchair Rugby (1 Event)
Wheelchair rugby, also known as “murderball,” is a high-impact sport that combines elements of rugby, basketball, and handball. The 2024 Paralympics will feature one event in wheelchair rugby, with teams of mixed-gender athletes competing in a full-contact sport that requires strategy, speed, and strength.
Wheelchair Tennis (6 Events)
Wheelchair tennis is a popular and highly competitive sport that has been part of the Paralympic program since 1992. The 2024 Games will feature six events, including singles and doubles matches for men, women, and quad athletes. Wheelchair tennis requires exceptional skill, agility, and endurance, with athletes competing on the same courts and under the same rules as able-bodied tennis.
Conclusion
The 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris will be a grand showcase of athleticism, resilience, and determination. With 549 events across 22 sports, the Games will offer a platform for athletes with disabilities to demonstrate their incredible abilities and compete at the highest level.
From traditional sports like athletics and swimming to newer additions like paracanoe and taekwondo, the Paralympics continue to evolve, offering a diverse and exciting range of competitions that reflect the spirit of the Games Wide Open.
As the world gathers in Paris to witness this historic event, the Paralympic Games will once again prove that sport has the power to inspire and unite people from all walks of life.