YOU MIGHT STILL BE REELING from the realisation that, with the Olympics concluding, you can no longer flick the TV on at any given time and expect to find some world class sport, or wake up every morning to be greeted by the announcement that Australia has won even more gold medals. Thankfully, salvation is right around the corner.
Few sporting events are as inspiring or impactful as the Paralympics. Celebrating the achievements of athletes with disabilities and promoting inclusivity, the Paralympics are the world’s third biggest sporting event behind only the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. The Games attract millions of viewers from across the globe in a spectacle of human athleticism.
More than 1,000 athletes from over 100 countries will compete at this year’s Paralympic Games, which are set to begin in just a few days’ time. Until then, you’ll need to get caught up to speed on what to expect, when to tune in, and who to watch. Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Paralympics.
When do the Paralympics start?
The 2024 Paralympics will run from August 29th to September 8th, 2024. The Paralympics have a tighter program than the Olympics, with only 11 days of competition. That means there’s more crossover between event scheduling. Whereas the Olympics has swimming events in the first week and athletics in the second, the Paralympics run most events concurrently. So there’ll be a constant stream of entertainment on offer.
Are the Paralympics also in Paris?
Yes, Paris will host the 2024 Paralympics, just as they hosted the 2024 Olympics. Many of the venues used during the Olympics will also be used during the Paralympics, so expect some familiar sights.
INSTAGRAM | @tristanknowles09
What sports are at the Paralympics?
Twenty-two sports will feature at the 2024 Paralympics. The program mainly includes established events you likely would’ve encountered at previous Games, but there are a few newer additions. Para Taekwondo and Para Badminton are both returning after making their debuts at the Tokyo 2020 Games, while a number of mixed events in swimming and athletics will make their first appearances.
Find the full list of Paralympic sports below:
Para Archery
Para Athletics
Para Badminton
Boccia
Blind Football
Para Canoe
Para Cycling (Road and Track)
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
Wheelchair Tennis
INSTAGRAM | @jarydclifford
How does Paralympics classification work?
To ensure inclusivity and fairness in competition, the Paralympics feature a classification system which groups athletes based on the type and extent of their disabilities, rather than using a catch-all system that jumbles them together. Each sport has its own classification criteria, but the athletes competing usually fall into six main categories:
Amputee: Athletes with limb loss.
Cerebral Palsy: Athletes with neurological conditions affecting movement.
Visual impairment: Athletes with varying degrees of vision loss.
Spinal cord injuries: Athletes with paraplegia or quadriplegia.
Intellectual disabilities: Athletes with cognitive impairments.
Les autres (French for ‘the others’): Athletes with conditions that don’t fall into the above categories, such as dwarfism or multiple sclerosis.
Does Australia do well at the Paralympics?
Historically, Australia does very well at the Paralympics and is one of the most successful Paralympic nations. Australia has won a total of 1,240 Paralympic medals, far surpassing its Olympic tally. The nation has even topped the Paralympic medal table, finishing first at Sydney 2000 with 149 medals, 63 of them gold. Since then, Australia finished fifth on the tally at four consecutive Games, followed by an eighth-placed finish at Tokyo 2020.
Who are some of the best athletes to watch at the Paralympics?
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Rowan Crothers: As the gold medallist in the men’s S10 50-metre freestyle at Tokyo 2020, Rowan Crothers is the world’s fastest Paralympic swimmer. He’ll be looking to repeat his gold medal-winning performance later this month.
Jaryd Clifford: Clifford was diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration as a child and is considered legally blind. He made his Paralympic debut as a 17-year-old at Rio 2016. He’s since racked up three medals, with bronze in the T13 1500m, silver in the T13 5000m, and silver in the T12 marathon. To this point, a gold medal has eluded Clifford, but he’ll be hoping to change that in Paris.
Tristan Knowles: A veteran of Australia’s wheelchair basketball team who won gold at Beijing 2008 is returning for his sixth Paralympics. This time, Knowles will take to the court as captain of the Rollers. The team hasn’t won a medal since London 2012, but Knowles has told Men’s Health that he believes the current squad is the strongest he’s seen in years.
Alexa Leary: If you’re after a tear-jerking story, look no further than Alexa Leary. The 23-year-old suffered traumatic brain injuries in 2021 after a cycling crash nearly took her life. At the time, Leary was a promising triathlete and even won silver at the under-19 world championships, but she’s since shifted course to Para swimming. She won gold at last year’s world championships in the S9 100m freestyle and looks likely to add a Paralympic medal to her mantle.
Madison de Rozario: Six-time Paralympic medallist Madison de Rozario is one of Australia’s flagbearers for the 2024 Paralympics. Competing since Beijing 2008 as a wheelchair athlete, de Rozario won her first gold medals at Tokyo 2020 in the T53 800m and T54 marathon, earning her the coveted award of Australian Paralympian of the year in 2021.
INSTAGRAM | @alexa_leary
Where can you watch the Paralympics?
Like with the Olympics, Channel 9 holds the broadcasting rights for the 2024 Paralympic Games. Major events will be broadcast live on 9 and its subsidiary channels. All events can be streamed live and free on the 9Now app. Events can also be streamed on Stan.
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