The president of the IPC closed 2023 with a message.
Iran NPC, Tehran: As the world
leaves behind 2023 and turns to 2024, the International Paralympic Committee
(IPC) President Andrew Parsons highlights the Paralympic year.
With 240 days to
go until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Andrew Parsons is confident that the
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be the “most spectacular” Games ever.
“It is with
excitement and joy that we begin 2024, a Paralympic year. No doubt the Paris
2024 Paralympic Games will propel our movement to the next level,” Parsons said
in his New Year’s message. “In August, the eyes of the world will be on Place
de la Concorde for what will be a historical and incredible Opening Ceremony.”
"Thanks to
our National Paralympic Committees, International Federations and an IPC
investment of more than EUR 30 million over the last decade into membership
development, Paris will likely involve a record number of participating teams,
including a refugee team for the third successive Games.
“Across all 22
sports, I expect sport performance to reach astronomical levels, thrilling the
packed crowds and billions of global TV viewers. It is these sporting
performances that will change attitudes towards the world’s 1.2 billion persons
with disabilities, creating greater opportunities for all in the long-run.”
The Opening Ceremony on 28 August will
serve as a grand kickoff to the 12-day sporting event, which will feature 549
medal events across 22 sports. It will be held outside a stadium for the first
time in Paralympic history, with the Athletes’ Parade leading down the iconic
Champs-Élysées in the heart of the French capital to Place de la Concorde.
About 4,400
athletes from an expected record number of participating National Paralympic
Committees are set to take part in the first-ever summer Paralympic Games in
France.
The Paralympic
Flame will be created in Stock Mandeville, the historic birthplace of
Paralympic sport, and will embark on a four-day journey to Paris to light the
cauldron during the Opening Ceremony on 28 August.