Paralympics 2024: A Preview of the Games and Great Britain's Quest for Glory

The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, beginning tomorrow, promise to be an exhilarating celebration of athletic prowess and human spirit. With over 4,400 athletes from 184 nations competing across 22 sports, this edition of the Paralympics is set to break records and capture the hearts of millions worldwide. Held in iconic venues such as the Stade de France and Roland Garros, the Games will feature various events, including athletics, swimming, cycling, and wheelchair basketball, among others. The athletes will compete not only for medals but also to inspire and demonstrate that disability is no barrier to achieving greatness.

The opening ceremony, scheduled at the historic Champ de Mars, with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, is expected to be a spectacular showcase of French culture, inclusion, and the Paralympic values of determination, equality, and inspiration. The Games will run until September 8, concluding with the crowning of the best Paralympians in their respective sports.

Team GB’s Paralympic Contenders

Among the rivaling nations, Great Britain enters the Games with much pressure expecting to perform as they did in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics winning a cumulative of 124 medals which included 59 golds, 24 silvers, and 81 bronzes to place second in the overall medal tally. In its bid to qualify and nurture different flag bearers for the British Paralympic team, known as ParalympicsGB, in Paris, the team boasts experienced players in the flag and promising talents.

Hannah Cockroft, one of the most successful Paralympians in history is preparing for her fourth start in the Paralympic Games. Cockroft is fighting in the T34 category for wheelchair racing; she has previously won seven golds in the Paralympics and wants to add more to the counting in Paris. As every game presents new trials, Cockroft told Medalswise:

‘I will be prepared to go the extra mile in Paris.’

Among the key players for Great Britain, Jonnie Peacock is set to head back to Paralympics to defend his T64 100m title. He has the most treasured honour of being a two-time Olympic champion- London 2012 and Rio 2016, athlete famed for his speed and competitiveness. Commenting on how he had been preparing for the meet, Peacock said:

"With every Paralympics, a chance is provided to make the whole world understand that a disability is never a cause for concern as far as excellence is concerned"

There are few new faces in the British team but these players would be eager to perform on the international level. Rainbow-Cooper is one such new talent who has a bright future ahead of her. At 21, this young wheelchair racer will be participating in the T54 1500m and 5000m races, and the marathon races after having won the Boston Marathon only a few weeks ago.

“It’s been my wish since I was 12 years old and now I can’t wait to go all out in Paris”

she remarked.

The discus will be the seventh Paralympics for Britain’s Dan Greaves who is no stranger to field events. Since the Paralympics in Sydney in the year 2000, Greaves has continued to win medals at this annual event and therefore still is very much a competitor. When asked about such a long career, Greaves replied, “The Paralympic Games are our dream. To race in Paris feels like my first time all over again and I intend to write another chapter in my story.

Previous Success and Future Aspirations

During the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, ParalympicsGB set a new standard by winning medals across 18 different sports disciplines, more than any other nation competing. This has created high expectations of the team's performance in Paris, where they are due to compete in 19 sports, including athletics, cycling, swimming, and shooting.

Matt Skelhon is leading the British charge onto the battlefield, epitomizing in the shooting squad the confluence of experience and talent throughout.

In this context, Skelton, a five-time Paralympian, had to fight harder than ever to be at the pinnacle of his sport, given the level of competition.

"It's only getting harder to stay at the top with competition always getting higher, but I'm determined to be there as long as I can"

he says, underlining the psychological and physical demands entailed by competing at such a high level.

New sports to the program at the Games in Paris are added with several new events, and therefore new opportunities for athletes to show their potential, among them Para-taekwondo and Para-badminton. With a strong team and a proud record, ParalympicsGB is going to make another profound impact aimed at inspiring and unifying people through the power of sport.

As the Paralympic Games begin, the world will be watching these incredible athletes push the boundaries of what is possible, reminding us all that true greatness comes from within. The British team, with its mix of experience, talent, and determination, is ready to shine on the global stage. 

A Nation Behind Them

The excitement surrounding the British Paralympic squad is palpable, as fans and supporters eagerly await the opportunity to watch their competitors compete in Paris. Penny Briscoe, the Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB, effectively captured the national attitude when she said:

"Every Para athlete in our squad has demonstrated tremendous potential and determination to gain their position. I am excited to see what our Para athletes may accomplish in Paris."

The British team will once again take centre stage at the Opening Ceremony, impressing a worldwide audience with the power of athletics to break down barriers and bring people together from all backgrounds. With a strong blend of known stars and promising young talent, Team GB is poised to make another historic impact on the Paralympic stage.