The 2024 Paralympic Games kicks off today, Wednesday 28, in Paris France, with thousands of athletes competing for coveted medals.
Less than two weeks after the curtain fell on the Olympic games, it has been reported that this year’s Olympic host will also be hosting the 2024 Paralympics, another mega sporting event. The opening ceremony will begin at 8 pm local time (18:00 GMT).
On the Paris 2024 official handle, tweets concerning the Paralympic games were made showcasing the preparedness of the different venues for the games.
With the host nation's readiness, @ParalympicsGames have also taken to X to tweet “It’s nearly time”, stating that the game’s opening ceremony kicks off Wednesday evening.
According to reports, the glittering ceremony will be the first ever Paralympics opening ceremony to be held outside a stadium simulating the recently concluded Olympic Games opening.
With similarities to the 2024 Olympic games, reports added that Athletes will parade in front of an expected 65,000 people. Parading through Paris’s landmark Avenue des Champs-Elysees to the Place de la Concorde public square.
More than 150 countries will be represented, with an estimated population of over 4,400 athletes gathering in Paris for the games.
Team Nigeria will be participating in the tournament, it has been reported the 35-member squad, comprising 23 athletes, seven coaches, and five medical personnel arrived in Paris last week Thursday after completing a training camp in Germany.
The 2024 Paralympics Nigeria Teams Head Coach, Nasiru Sule has declared that the team is ready for the Games which begins today in Paris.
The Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN) announced Lauritta Onye as the Flag Bearer, while Folashade Olufemi-Ayo has been named Team Captain.
According to reports, countries like China, Great Britain (GB) and the United States (USA) will field some of the largest contingents with more than 200 athletes each, while dozens of countries will be represented by a single athlete each.
It was gathered that 18 venues across Paris and Its Outskirts will play host to the Paralympic Games. Stade de France, Roland-Garros Stadium, Chateau de Versailles, Paris La Defense Arena, Eiffel Tower Stadium, Invalides, Pont Alexandre III, Grand Palais, Champ de Mars Arena, Porte de la Chapelle Arena, South Paris Arena, Chateauroux Shooting Centre, North Paris Arena, Bercy Arena, Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines Velodrome, Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, Clichy-Sous-Bois, Saint-Denis to Esplanades des Invalides.
Athletes will be competing in 549 medal events spread across 22 sports, which are Para archery, Para-athletics; Para-bad; Minton; Blind football; Boccia; Para canoe; Para-cycling; Para Equestrian; Goalball; Para judo; Para powerlifting; Para rowing; Para shooting; Sitting volleyball; Para-swimming; Para table tennis; Para taekwondo; Para triathlon; Wheelchair basketball; Wheelchair fencing; Wheelchair rugby and Wheelchair tennis
