More than 4,000 children gather for launch of Olympic and Paralympic Week in France

With less than five months to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Olympic and Paralympic Week has started in France. This year’s event aims at teaching children about the benefits of daily exercise and promoting the values of Paralympism and Olympism.

More than 4,000 children attended a launch event at Porte de la Chapelle Arena on 2 April 2024. They had the opportunity to learn and try out different physical activities with Typhanie Soldé and Jackson Richardson at the arena, which will stage Para powerlifting and Para badminton competitions during the Paralympics.

The Olympic and Paralympic Week has taken place annually since 2017. Held under the motto “Celebrating the Games and athletes from around the world”,  more than 11,500 schools and institutions will be involved this year, with more than 2 million children expected to participate.

“Since 2017, Olympic and Paralympic Week has raised awareness among more than 5 million young people with regard to the benefits of sport and other key topics such as disability and inclusion through sport. This year has seen even more projects with a Para sports dimension, 6,200 in all,” said Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President.

The event at Porte de la Chapelle Arena was organised by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee in partnership with Danone, the French sports movement and several other institutions.

“I am very proud to be a patron of this latest Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic week as a Danone athlete because I believe teaching young people about sport and disability is vital,” said Soldé, who competed in the long jump at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

“At this launch event, I was able to meet thousands of children and encourage them to exercise more and enjoy a balanced diet to enhance their mental and physical well-being. People’s mindsets and habits must be changed, and for that we need everyone.”

Building a lasting heritage

This year’s Olympic and Paralympic Week will be the last edition held under the Paris 2024 banner. However, this annual event is set to continue after the Games. Olympic and Paralympic Week, along with the Génération 2024 platform, will be entrusted to the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF), the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF) and the Ministries of National Education, Higher Education and Sport.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place between 28 August and 9 September, after the Olympic Games are held from 26 July and 11 August.

Learn more about the Olympic and Paralympic Week by visiting the Paris 2024 website.