Paris takes centre stage once again as start of Paralympic Games closes in

Precisely 17 days since bidding adieu to the Olympics, Paris will be back in the spotlight as its maiden Paralympic Games takes flight at Place de la Concorde.

An estimated 65,000 spectators are expected on the evening of August 28 when up to 4,400 medal hopefuls parade along the Champs-Elysees to the French capital’s largest public square.

The bold decision to ditch the traditional stadium setting in favour of staging an ambitious opening ceremony on the north bank of the river Seine is designed to put disability and inclusivity at the heart of society.

Organisers will no doubt hope the extravaganza is not followed by any unplanned breaks with convention on the back of the many Covid-enforced challenges of Tokyo 2020.

Face masks, empty stands and daily saliva tests were de rigueur at the strangest Games in living memory, paving the way for tales of history, record-breaking triumphs and tears to finally take centre stage 12 months later than planned.

This time around, after a spectacular start at a site synonymous with the demise of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, athletes will bid to execute finely-tuned plans in more normal circumstances.

A total of 549 medals are up for grabs across 22 sports as 11 days of action illuminate the City of Light.

France’s only previous hosting of Paralympic competition came in 1992.

British skiers Richard Burt and Matthew Stockford clinched one silver and four bronzes combined back then at a low-key winter Games held in the Alpine resorts of Albertville and Tignes.

Understandably, ParalympicsGB has far loftier ambitions in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

A target of between 100 and 140 medals has been set by UK Sport following a second-placed finish behind China in the overall standings three years ago.

The team’s 124 successes in Tokyo – 41 golds, 38 silvers and 45 bronzes – were spread across 18 of the 19 sports entered, with chef de mission Penny Briscoe optimistic of experiencing deja vu in the coming weeks.

“We are medal competitive in every sport,” Briscoe said.

“It’s becoming ever more competitive, ever more difficult to win medals, but the British high performance system is amongst the best in the world.”

Cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, who became her country’s most successful Paralympian in Japan by increasing her career tally to 17 titles, spearheads a 215-strong GB squad peppered with current and former gold medallists.

Wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft, boccia champion David Smith and the wheelchair rugby team are just some of those seeking to retain titles, while table tennis player Will Bayley and javelin thrower Hollie Arnold have high hopes of reclaiming former crowns as triathlete Dave Ellis and wheelchair tennis star Alfie Hewett attempt to make up for previous frustrations.

The most gender-balanced Paralympics in history is scheduled to feature a record 236 medals for women and more female competitors than ever before.

They include Jodie Grinham, who will be 28 weeks pregnant when she takes aim in archery, triathlete Alison Peasgood, who gave birth to son Logan 12 months ago, and 54-year-old Paracanoeist Jeanette Chippington, plus 14-year-old table tennis player Bly Twomey and 13-year-old swimmer Iona Winnifrith – two of GB’s 81 debutants.

Meanwhile, visually-impaired Italian sprinter Valentina Petrillo will spark further debate about inclusivity and fairness when she becomes the first transgender athlete to compete at the Paralympics by running in the women’s T12 200m and 400m.

With the lingering legacy of London 2012 gradually fading, the first European Games since is viewed by many as an overdue opportunity to establish a new benchmark in Para sport.

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons is confident of doing just that before Paris passes the torch to Los Angeles at Stade de France on Sunday, September 8.

“Paris 2024 will propel our movement to its next level,” said Parsons. “We will see incredible action in incredible venues close to iconic landmarks.

“There is no doubt Paris 2024 will be the most spectacular Paralympic Games ever.”