Thousands of elite athletes from around the globe have arrived in Paris to participate in the 2024 Paralympic Games, which are set to commence with an outdoor opening ceremony on Wednesday and run until September 8. This year’s event is being hailed as one for the record books, showcasing a record number of participating delegations, a significant representation of female athletes, and extensive global media coverage.
These Paralympic Games are unique as they mark the first occurrence of the summer event in France and the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that spectators can fill the stands. The 12 days of competition promise exciting storylines, including teams seeking redemption, fierce rivalries, and notable athletes both individually and in partnership.
China, which has continuously excelled in the last five Paralympics, aims to maintain its winning legacy. An Italian sprinter is set to make history as the first transgender woman to compete in the Paralympics, while several decorated American athletes are poised to break records.
The Paralympics feature 22 sports and include 549 medal events. Notably, goalball and boccia are two sports exclusive to the Paralympics without Olympic counterparts. Competitions in para athletics, para swimming, and para table tennis will see the highest number of participants.
Organizers expect approximately 4,400 athletes from 168 delegations to take part this year, including representatives from 167 countries and a Refugee Paralympic Team. Among the delegations, China, Brazil, and France boast the largest athlete contingents, while the Games will feature a record 1,983 female competitors.
Team USA is bringing 225 athletes to Paris, with an equal male and female representation. Notable athletes include wheelchair basketball star Steve Serio and sitting volleyball player Nicky Nieves, who will serve as flag bearers. Other prominent competitors include multi-discipline athlete Oksana Masters and swimmer Jessica Long, who will be participating in her sixth Paralympic Games.
The opening ceremony will be broadcast live from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday via USA Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NBC Olympic platforms. The ceremony, which takes place along the river Seine, marks another milestone as it is the first ever to be held outside of a stadium for the Paralympics.
In total, NBC plans to stream around 1,500 hours of live coverage on Peacock throughout the Games, with additional programming featured daily on USA Network. The closing ceremony will occur on September 8.