Paris 2024 hosts Chefs de Mission Seminar one year before the Paralympic Games

Paris 2024 hosted the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Chefs de Mission Seminar, which brought together more than 350 participants, in person and remotely. The Organising Committee presented the vision, ambitions and progress of the project to the representatives of 174 NPCs during the seminar, which took place between 24 and 29 August.

With one year to go until the Paralympic Games, the Chefs de Mission were also able to receive answers to their questions and familiarise themselves with the competition venues and the Paralympic Village.  

Preparing for Paris 2024

As the Chefs de Mission are responsible for their national delegations, this seminar was an important step in preparing for the Games, to ensure the best possible experience for the athletes and enable them to concentrate fully on their sporting performances.

Discussions with the Organising Committee addressed key issues such as accommodation, transportation, security, medical services, celebrations and ceremonies.  

“Behind each athlete's success is a Chef de Mission and a National Paralympic Committee. The Paris 2024 teams are supporting the National Paralympic Committees so together we can prepare for unique, unprecedented and spectacular Paralympic Games,” Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, said.

“The Paralympic Games have the power to transform our societies and I'm convinced that France will emerge changed on the morning of 9 September 2024 after 12 days of Paralympic emotions. Our collective mission is to create engagement and to embark the whole world in the magic of the Paralympic Games.” 

Over the six days, the Chefs de Mission had the opportunity to visit competition venues and other sites associated with the Paralympic Games. Among the places they visited were the Stade de France, the venue for Para athletics, the Roland-Garros Stadium, which will stage wheelchair tennis competitions, and the National Shooting Centre in Chateauroux. 

During this final year of preparations, Paris 2024 will continue to promote and develop universal accessibility in France through the Paralympic Games, which will leave a meaningful and lasting legacy.

The Chefs de Mission also took part in a tour of the Paralympic Village, which will transform into a new neighbourhood after the Games where the majority of the accommodation will be accessible. They had lunch at the Cité du Cinéma, which will house the Village's main restaurant.  

On August 28, participants gathered at the Grand Palais Ephémère, which will stage Para judo and wheelchair rugby competitions next year, to launch the one-year countdown to the first summer Paralympics in France.

One year to go

Participants expressed their excitement toward the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which will take place between 28 August and 8 September.

Marie-Amélie Le Fur, President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, said: "With one year to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the French Paralympic and Sports Committee is delighted to take part in the Chefs de Mission Seminar, which was held at the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee. 

“National Paralympic Committees from around the world were able to meet in the City of Light and together launch the countdown to the Opening Ceremony on 28 August 2024." 

Penny Briscoe, Chef de Mission for the British Paralympic Association said: "Being in Paris with friends from global National Paralympic Committees alongside colleagues from the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and the International Paralympic Committee is hugely important as we celebrate ‘One Year to Go’ to Paris 2024.

“The collaboration and commitment to deliver spectacular, transformative Games, and an incredible athlete experience, is evident and I’m hugely excited by the progress that has been made. Without doubt, these will be innovative, inclusive and impactful Games and I’m confident athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators will experience the very best of Paris and France. As a team we can’t wait for next year!“

Tomohiro Ida, Secretary General for the Japanese Paralympic Committee said: “After the recent Games, both summer and winter, that took place in Asia in 2018, 2021 and 2022, the spotlight is now on Europe and finally, the time of Games held during the pandemic has come to an end.  

"We believe that the Paris 2024 Games will have a great significance and mark the return of spectators in the stadiums. Competition venues located in iconic places of the city and a spectacular Opening Ceremony in the heart of Paris. The NPCs gathered for the Chef de Mission Seminar are confident that the Games next year will be special and successful.“

Kate McLoughlin, Chef de Mission for Paralympics Australia said: “It’s clear that a huge amount of work is being done in Paris to ensure that our athletes have access to a world class performance environment for the Games next year.

"We look forward to seeing how preparations continue to take shape and know that organisers are motivated to not only cater for the unique needs of our Para athletes but are also driven to showcase our amazing Paralympic movement to the world.”

Julie Dussliere, Chief of Paralympics for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said: “We’re thrilled with the exceptional leadership and preparations made by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee.

"Their dedication to delivering a fantastic Games experience for stakeholders, most importantly athletes, is evident through the development of venues, progress of the athlete’s Village, and commitment to sustainability. Their team’s collaborative efforts have been vital in creating not only a stage for excellence, but also the best possible path for NPCs to shine.”