Thousands of elite athletes from across the globe are gathering in Paris for the 2024 Paralympic Games, which begin with an outdoor opening ceremony on Wednesday and continue until September 8. This year’s event is notable for having a record number of participating delegations and female athletes, as well as extensive coverage by global broadcasters.
This marks the first summer Paralympic Games held in France, and it is also the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the event will welcome spectators back to the stands. The Games promise numerous compelling narratives, including China’s bid to extend its dominance from the last five Paralympics, the participation of an Italian sprinter who will be the first transgender woman to compete, and several decorated Team USA athletes aiming to set new records.
The Olympics and Paralympics are both multi-sport events held in the same city in the same year, starting with the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul. They are governed by separate agencies and differ primarily in that the Paralympics feature athletes with disabilities, while the Olympics typically consist of able-bodied competitors.
Athletes will compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports, including three competitions specifically for visually impaired athletes who work alongside sighted guides. Among the sports, para athletics, para swimming, and para table tennis have the most competitors.
A record number of athletes from 168 delegations will participate this year, totaling around 4,400 athletes, including notable delegations from China, Brazil, and France. This year’s games will also feature the largest number of female competitors in history.
Team USA is sending 225 athletes to compete across various sports, with notable names including Oksana Masters, Jessica Long, and Sarah Adam, the latter making history as the first woman to represent the U.S. in wheelchair rugby at the Paralympics.
The opening ceremony will take place from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET and will air live on USA Network, streaming on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms. This year, the organizers are committed to enhancing coverage, with live broadcasts of all 22 sports set to be available for the first time.
Leading up to the closing ceremony on September 8, viewers can expect extensive coverage and programming across various platforms, including a significant amount of live coverage on NBC’s streaming service.