As the Paris 2024 Olympics came to a close, there were many remarkable feats to reminisce and dwell on. Athletes from all over the world came together to show off and go toe to toe with one another for an Olympic title. 

However, the excitement isn’t over just yet. The Paris Paralympics started Wed., Aug. 28, and will be happening until Sun., Sep. 8. Here’s what you need to know!

This is the 17th time the Summer Paralympic Games will be taking place. Just like the 2024 Summer Olympics, the Paralympics will be held in Paris, France. There are a whopping 549 medaling events happening over 22 sports, and around 4,400 athletes from all over the world that will be participating. Some of the sports to look out for include wheelchair basketball, para archery and sitting volleyball.

There are many ideas that may come to mind when asked about the Paralympic Games. Senior Dustin Berger, a kinesiology major and member of the Golden Eagles’ Cross Country team, said, “When I think of the Paralympics, I think of the track athletes that run with prosthetic legs. It’s inspiring to me as an athlete myself to see others overcome their potential disadvantages.”

When asked about the teams he’s interested in watching compete, Berger said, “I’m looking forward to seeing Team USA and Italy compete this time around. I have family from Italy.”

Just like the Olympic athletes of Paris, the Paralympic athletes who place in the games will be receiving medals with a piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower. In addition, the medal design includes distinct touch features, with both engravings and Braille.

The Paralympic athletes are known for their hard work and impressive performances on the track, on the court, in the pool and on the field. But what sets this competition apart from the Olympics and the Special Olympics, are the variety of impairments that athletes are impacted by. Athletes may live and compete with impaired muscle power, limb deficiency, ataxia, vision impairment, and cognitive impairment, among many other conditions. The Paralympics has a heavy focus on physical disabilities.

”When I see that these athletes can do the same things as those without disabilities, it shows me that there’s no room for excuses. The Paralympic athletes train just as hard, if not harder, and have the determination and drive to persevere. I want to be the same way,” said Berger.

The Paralympic Games will be broadcasted on a series of NBC networks, but they can also be watched via Peacock and the Paralympic YouTube channel. For further information and consistent updates, you can go to olympics.com.

Tags: sports

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