Para athletes excited for Paris 2024 Paralympic year

Every New Year’s Eve, Lisa Adams goes through a special routine to prepare for a new beginning.

“On New Year’s Eve, I use that day for reflection, for myself to reflect on the year that has been, the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations,” said Adams, who won the women’s shot put F37 event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. 

And with the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games taking place in 240 days, the athlete from New Zealand knows how exciting this year will be for herself and for Para sport fans around the world.  

“I reflect on whatever that has happened during that year, and reflect on the year that has been, knowing that another year is a part of my journey and a part of my life,” she added. “(The year) 2024 will be an exciting year.”

Reflection and resolution

Whether it is about sticking to a healthy diet or hitting the gym regularly, the beginning of the new year is the best time to set new goals for the year ahead. 

Sophie Carrigill, captain of the British women’s wheelchair basketball team, says setting resolutions is a way to start the year in a good note, even if you do not end up keeping them. 

“I always like to make New Year’s resolutions. So whatever they are, whether you end up sticking to them for the whole year, or if it lasts a week, just make some goals for the whole year. Fingers crossed you stick to them,” Carrigill said. 

Great Britain qualified for Paris 2024 by earning a silver medal at the European Para Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, last year. Now the team is looking for a podium spot in Paris, three years after their quarterfinal defeat at Tokyo 2020. 

“Make yourself a promise. Promise yourself one thing, only one thing, and stick to that one thing. I promise it’ll make a difference,” said Great Britain player Robyn Love. “My biggest dream is to win that Paralympic Medal. 

“We came close in 2016, and I know it is within our fingertips. I know that our programme has what it takes. We want to make history as the first GB women’s team to bring home that Paralympic medal.” 

From 2023 to Paralympic year

For India’s shooting Para sport star Avani Lekhara, 2023 was full of things to celebrate, from winning medals to setting a new record. But she believes that 2024 can be an even better year and promises to “continue being dedicated” to the sport. 

“My 2023 was a year to remember. With the support of my team, my coaches and my family, winning multiple medals including the Asian Games gold medal with an Asian record was the highlight of the year,” she said. “I’m so grateful for everything.” 

Lekhara made history at Tokyo 2020, where she became the first female athlete from India to top the podium at the Paralympic Games. Indian athletes captured a total of 19 medals in Tokyo, including five golds. 

Rather than setting her resolutions around medals in Paris, she is focused on seeking perfection during every competition and training, and she is confident that results will follow. 

“My New Year’s resolution is to continue being dedicated as I am to my sport and learn a lot in my training and implement that during my matches,” she said.  

“I haven’t set too many expectations yet for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, but I would like to go and express myself, and show once again what sport means to me and to make my country proud.” 

240 days to go

New Year’s Day marked exactly 240 days to go until the first-ever summer Paralympic Games in France. Para powerlifter Herbert Aceituno started the day with a strong resolve. 

“My wish for the New Year, first of all, is to be healthy and God may give good health for me and my family,” said Aceituno, who represented El Salvador at two Paralympic Games.  

“In sports, I hope I can compete at World Cups and be able to qualify for Paris directly and if God allows it, that I will take the podium,” the bronze medallist in the up to 59 kilogram division at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics said.

In Para powerlifting, Paris 2024 slots will be awarded based on the World Para Powerlifting Ranking List to close on 26 June 2024. Para athletes are required to compete in two of the six World Para Powerlifting sanctioned competitions (World Cups) held between April and June.

In total, Paris 2024 will feature about 4,400 athletes from an expected record number of participating National Paralympic Committees. The Games, which take place between 28 August and 8 September, will stage 549 medal events across 22 sports.

Uganda’s Para swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe is looking forward to returning to the Paralympics after making her debut at Tokyo 2020 as the youngest athlete in the Japanese capital. But it is not just about the competition.

“I’m looking forward to the baguettes, the pain au chocolat, the hot chocolate – everything,” 16-year-old Kukundakwe said with a smile.

“But of course, competing in Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower, I look forward to making new friends and meeting old friends, and having a blast in general.”

Giving back to sport

South Africa’s Nicolas Pieter Du Preez has his sights set on competing in both Para cycling and Para athletics at Paris 2024, but his goal goes beyond winning medals.

Du Preez, who won the gold medal in the men’s time trial H1 race at Tokyo 2020, wants to give back to the sport that has changed his life.

“Obviously it’s Paralympics in Paris next year,” he said when asked for his goals in 2024. “But for me, the true resolution will be to really makes sure that I live every day to the fullest and try making it purposeful to hopefully impact those around me in the best way possible in my journey to Paris 2024.”