The Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games kicks off on Wednesday 28th August with the Opening Ceremony and runs through to Sunday 8th September.
The event sees 549 medals at stake to be competed for by a total of 4,400 athletes from 128 different nations. Each sportsperson has a physical or cognitive disability that is assessed by a classification that groups them by the degree of activity limitation resulting from the impairment – a hot topic and point of much debate for many athletes.
Why is it important?
The Games are not just a celebration of athletics in our community but present a wider opportunity to acknowledge amazing stories, achievements and abilities no matter how ‘different’ we may be. As far as role models go, you won’t find many better than the people in Paris over the coming weeks. At Finding Your Feet, we want to broaden the conversation around disabilities and tuning in to an event like this not only helps raise awareness, but gets people talking. By supporting, you’re helping to foster innovation for future technologies and accessibilities, encourage equal opportunities and highlight the very pinnacle of human potential. That’s all while enjoying some good old-fashioned competition.
What are the competitions and key dates?
| Competition | Dates |
|---|---|
| Blind football | 1-7 September |
| Boccia | 29 August-4 September |
| Goalball | 29 August-5 September |
| Para-athletics | 30 August-8 September |
| Para-archery | 29 August-5 September |
| Para-badminton | 29 August-2 September |
| Para-canoe | 6-8 September |
| Para-cycling | 29 August-1 September, 4-7 September (road) |
| Para-equestrian | 3-7 September |
| Para-judo | Â 5-7 September |
| Para-powerlifting | 4-8 September |
| Para-rowing | 30 August-1 September |
| Para-swimming | 29 August-7 September |
| Para-table tennis | 29 August-7 September |
| Para-taekwondo | 29-31 August |
| Para-triathlon | 1-2 September |
| Shooting Para-sport | Â 30 August-5 September |
| Sitting volleyball | 29 August-7 September |
| Wheelchair basketball | 29 August-8 September |
| Wheelchair fencing | Â 3-7 September |
| Wheelchair rugby | 29 August-2 September |
| Wheelchair tennis | 30 August-7 September |
How to watch
If you’re in the UK, Channel 4 is bringing over 1,300 hours of live action airing for free across the main channel, More4, Channel 4 Streaming and Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube. You can see a full schedule here.
Are there any Finding Your Feet Amp-bassadors there?
Yes! Two of our FYF Amp-bassadors have made the trip to Paris searching for Gold. Hope Gordon is part of the GB para-canoe team and Martin Perry is competing in para table tennis. We’ll be cheering them on on our social media platforms, so please have a look for updates. Martin takes to the table on Thursday 29th August at 13:45 local time in an attempt to progress to the next round before Hope starts her campaign on Friday 6th September at 10:30AM.
How do organisations like Finding Your Feet help?
For many amputees, our charity is the first introduction to sport or physical activity after limb loss – whether that’s rock climbing, kayaking, come-and-try athletics days or weekly gym sessions. Not only that, but we’re all about building confidence, momentum and a can-do attitude within amputees of all ages and backgrounds. All the while we’re spreading the word about inclusivity and banging the drum for disabled people throughout the country.
