Paris 2024 will be most spectacular Paralympics in history, says IPC President

With one year to go, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons believes Paris 2024 is on course to deliver the most spectacular Paralympic Games in history.

The combination of world class sport, iconic venues, a first Games since the pandemic, and a revolutionary approach by the Organising Committee, are the perfect ingredients to deliver a Paralympics that will surpass the achievements of any previous Games edition, according to the Brazilian. 

“As we reach the one year to go milestone, all the stars are aligning for Paris 2024 to deliver tremendous and memorable Paralympic Games, setting a benchmark for all future editions," Parsons said.

“The Organising Committee has promised innovative and revolutionary Paralympics, Games wide open to all. To date, they are delivering on all their promises and with 12 months to go I could not be more excited for the Games and the legacy they will deliver.

“Having attended many Para sport events this year, the level of sport performance is quite simply incredible. With the environment Paris 2024 is creating for athletes next summer, which includes many stunning sport venues at the heart of the city, I think the sporting action will surpass all of our expectations.

“These will be the first Paralympics in Europe since London 2012 and the first to be he held with spectators since Rio 2016. This combination, together with accessible and affordable tickets, will ensure we have massive crowds packing the venues, bringing the best out of our athletes. I think the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are going to be spectacular.”

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Aim to sell every Paralympic ticket

With tickets going on sale at family friendly and affordable prices from 9 October on a first-come, first served basis, the IPC President hopes that all 2.8 million tickets are sold.

Half of all tickets cost EUR 25 or less while tickets for the 22 sports range from EUR 15 to EUR 100.

“I think there will be a massive demand for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games tickets once they go on-sale,” explained Parsons.

“The Paralympic Games has always prided itself on offering accessible tickets to all, and Paris 2024 is no different. We have worked hard with the Organising Committee to ensure affordable and family friendly prices for world class sport in absolutely stunning and iconic venues.

“The Paralympic Games are one of the world’s few mega sport events that you can afford to attend with all your friends and family; it’s what makes the atmosphere at the Games so unique and special for everyone who attends.

“Over the last decade we have witnessed a dramatic improvement in athletic performance across all 22 sports, while the depth of talent and level of competition has never been better. In terms of sport performance there is no doubt that Paris 2024 will be the best Paralympic Games ever.

“As with every Games, we hope we can sell every single ticket to spectators once they go on-sale on 9 October. With world class sport, stunning venues, and affordable tickets we aim to achieve this goal.”

The closest the Paralympic Games has come to selling out was London 2012 when 2.72 million tickets (95% of capacity) were sold. Had it not been for the pandemic then Tokyo 2020 would likely have been the first Paralympic Games to sell-out after there were 3.1 million requests for tickets in the first few months of sales.

Paralympics already delivering a legacy

With one year until the spectacular Opening Ceremony at the heart of the city on the iconic Champs-Elysées and Place de la Concorde, the IPC President believes the Paralympic Games are already having an impact on French society, delivering a transformational legacy.

In April, France's President Macron announced a new policy which prioritises education and employment for persons with disabilities. It includes a commitment to invest EUR 1.5 billion to improve the accessibility of places of daily life. The City of Paris is also investing EUR 125 million in accessibility projects.

“The Paralympic Games are unique. They showcase world class sport while also having a tremendous transformational societal impact on the host city and country," Parsons continued.

“Hosting the Paralympic Games has acted as a catalyst for the French government and City of Paris to focus more on investment and initiatives that will not only improve the lives of France’s 12 million persons with disabilities but also benefit accessibility, tourists and anyone with accessibility needs. These legacies are already having an impact even before the Opening Ceremony.”

Paris 2024 set for record and most diverse NPC participation

Parsons is confident that a record number of National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) will compete at Paris 2024, surpassing the 164 that competed at London 2012.

In his view, the maturing of NPCs and International Federations, together with an investment of more than EUR 30 million over the last decade by the IPC into membership programmes, will result in greater NPC participation, increased diversity, improved gender parity, and stronger talent depth and competition across all 22 sports.

“While the number of athletes who can compete at the Paralympics is capped at 4,400, I am confident that around 180 NPCs will take part at Paris 2024, beating the record set at London 2012,” said Parsons.

“Over the last decade the IPC has worked tirelessly with our members to maximise what each brings to the Paralympic Movement. This has included organising multiple sport development programmes which have increased the number and diversity of athletes, coaches and officials across the world.

“By supporting our members globally, we have seen a greater diversification of athlete talent which is best highlighted by the fact that a record 86 NPCs won at least one medal at Tokyo 2020.

“At Paris 2024, there will be a record 235 medal events for women, and more competition opportunities for athletes with high support needs than ever before. With almost double the number of female athlete slots compared to the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be our biggest and most diverse Games yet.”

The IPC President also confirmed that the participation of NPC Russia and NPC Belarus at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be decided by the IPC membership at the IPC General Assembly in Bahrain on 29 September.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place between 28 August and 8 September 2024. Register for Paralympic tickets.