Paralympics 2024: Uniting the World Through Sport and Inclusivity

The 2024 Paralympic Games will see over 4,000 athletes from around the world, including 160 Australians, competing in 549 medal events across 22 sports. Typically held two weeks after the Olympic Games in the same host city, the Paralympics showcase the world class athletes with physical disabilities from around the world competing for their home countries.

With a range of famous Australian Paralympians on our roster, we thought it’d be a great time to put together this guide ahead of the 2024 Paralympics. Below we look at everything from when and where the Games are to what events we can expect to see Australians in. 

When are the Paralympics 2024?

Held from 28 August to 8 September 2024, the Paralympics kicks off with the Opening Ceremony on the first day. This serves as the big start to the 12-day sporting event.

Where are the Summer Paralympics 2024?

Like the Olympics 2024, this year’s Paralympics will be held in Paris. It’s the first ever Paralympic summer Games held in the French capital. The quest for medals will play out across a variety of beautiful venues throughout Paris, from the foot of the Eiffel Tower to the Chateau de Versailles gardens.

Is There a Theme for the Paralympics 2024?

For the first time, the Paralympics will share the same slogan and emblem as the Olympics 2024. The slogan “Games wide open” focuses on the Paris edition’s taking the Games into a new era. It’s about the power to open our hearts and minds, to stop seeing differences as obstacles. Between the non-disabled athletes and Para athletes. Between the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.

Which Events Will Australia Be Competing In?

A total of 160 Australian Paralympians will look to make a mark at the 17th edition of the Games. Co-captained by Angela Ballard, 8-time medallist in para athletics and Curtis McGrath, a 3-time gold medal winner in para canoe, the Aussie team will compete in 17 of the 22 sports at the Games.

Para Archery

6 Australians will take part in this year’s para archery, one of the 8 sports contested at the inaugural Games in Rome in 1960. It has since grown in popularity around the world. At Paris 2024, 140 athletes will shoot for the podium at the Invalides.

Para Athletics

Para athletics is the largest sport on the programme in terms of the number of medal events and participating athletes. Up to 1,069 athletes will compete across 164 medal events, including 33 Australians, who will be involved in fan-favourites like the 100m race. It also includes other classics like discus, javelin, shot put and long jump.

Para Badminton

2 Aussies will face down 120 other athletes competing in the exciting, fast-paced sport of para badminton. Included in the Paralympics for the first time at Tokyo 2020, athletes will compete across 16 medal events at Paris.

Wheelchair Basketball 

Australia will be among the 8 men’s national wheelchair basketball teams competing in the French capital. Paralympic Games legend Brad Ness will lead the team as Head Coach while two Aussies, Tristan Knowles and Shaun Norris, make history with a 6th appearance at the Paralympic Games.

Boccia

One of the 2 sports at Paris 2024 without an Olympic counterpart, Boccia is played by athletes with a significant physical impairment affecting all four limbs. Similar to bocce, athletes throw, kick or use a ramp device to propel balls as close as possible to a white ball called the ‘jack’. 2 Australians out of a total of 124 athletes will compete across 11 medal events at the South Paris Arena.

Para Canoeing

A fierce battle of super fast paddlers on flat water, para canoeing is always an exciting sport to watch. This year, we have 3 Aussies, including co-captain Curtis McGrath, showcasing their determination, strength and technique as they power to the finish line. 

Para Cycling

When the cycling kicks off at the start of the Games on 29 August, 17 Australians will showcase their speed and technique across two disciplines: road and track. Chad and Kane Perris are set to be the first siblings to compete for Australia in the Paralympics since Barcelona 1992. It’ll be Chad’s third Paralympics while Kane is making his debut.

Para Equestrian

First featured at Atlanta 1996, para equestrian is the only artistic sport at the Paralympic Games with 4 Australian Paralympians and their horses ready to excite audiences at the historic symbol of French royalty – Chateau de Versailles.

Para Judo 

Exclusive for athletes with vision impairments, Taylor Gosens will be the sole Aussie on the mat representing us. The second woman to compete for Australia in para judo, she’ll compete in the J2 70kg+ classification at Champ de Mars Arena when the tournament begins on September 5.

Para Powerlifting

The ultimate test of upper body strength, para powerlifting is one of the fastest growing sports in the Paralympics in terms of the participants. This year, 180 athletes will take the spotlight at Paris 2024. Hani Watson and Ben Wright will be the first Aussies to compete in the sport since London 2012.

Para Rowing

Propelling across 2,000 metres on a boat using oars, para rowing is the ultimate test of stamina and strength as athletes battle to be the fastest in a six-lane contest. Australia is sending a team of 8 among a total of 104 athletes competing in five medal events at Paris 2024.

Wheelchair Rugby

The 12 player Steelers wheelchair rugby team is ready to take on Paris 2024. The team features 6 debutantes and is led by experienced stars Ryley Batt and Chris Bond, part of the gold medal-winning teams at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games.

Para Shooting

The Paris Paralympics 2024 will see 2 Australians face around 160 other athletes from around the world showcasing their talent and technique. 13 medal events are set to take place at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in central France.

Para Swimming

Among the 8 original Paralympic sports, para swimming is huge and widely popular, with over 600 athletes competing across 141 medal events at the Paris La Defense Arena. After our performance at the Olympics, it’ll come as no surprise that Aussies are favourites when it comes to contesting for medals, sending in a 30 strong member squad. This includes Holly Warn, who at 15 years and five months will be the youngest Australian Paralympian at the Games.

Para Table Tennis

Led by Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Qian Yang and Lina Lei, Australia’s 12-member para table tennis team is our biggest since Tel Aviv 1968. Danni Di Toro will be our most experienced athlete in Paris, making her 8th appearance at the Games, placing her joint second on the all-time Australian list.

Wheelchair Tennis

A trio of Aussies will take to the court at the iconic Roland-Garros Stadium. Heath Davidson will compete at his third Paralympic Games following the retirement of his former doubles partner Dylan Alcott. Ben Weekes will join his sixth Aussie Paralympic team. Meanwhile, Andy Parker makes his debut to round out the trio. 

Para Triathlon

The 13-member triathlon squad is set to be Australia’s biggest ever in the Paralympic triathlon event. It’s a huge team sport that requires endurance, strength and trust in equal measure to make it over the finish line. 

More Fun Facts About Our Aussie Paralympians

61 Australian Paralympians are set to make their debut. This includes Telaya Blacksmith, Australia’s 16th known indigenous Paralympian. Meanwhile, Madison de Rozario (para athletics) and Brenden Hall (para swimming) will be flag-bearers for Australia at the Opening Ceremony.

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, a total of 179 Australians participated, finishing 8th in total with 80 medals – 21 gold, 29 silver and 30 bronze. This included 33 medals in para swimming and 19 in para athletics. 

The Paris 2024 team are looking to build on this success, with high hopes following Australia’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics a few weeks ago.

Browse our roster of Paralympian speakers here at ICMI

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