The Paris 2024 Paralympics came to a close, capping off what event organizer Tony Estanguet hailed as a “historic summer” for France.
In a ceremony held at the Stade de France, Estanguet spoke to the 4,400 athletes from 168 Paralympic delegations, celebrating the excitement and unity brought by six weeks of Olympic and Paralympic competitions.
Estanguet highlighted that the Games would remain “etched in people’s memories” and emphasized how France had embraced the spirit of the event. France had a date with destiny this summer and France showed up,” he said. That brought a nation together that had been torn apart earlier in the year by elections.
Passing of the Paralympic Flag
As part of the closing ceremony, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo passed the Paralympic flag to Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, who then handed it to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in preparation for the next Paralympic Games in 2028. Then came the Star Spangled Banner and the passing of the torch, with broadway star Ali Stroker singing as the future host city.
Sports Inspire Social Change
Parsons, who spoke at the event, commended the Paris Paralympics for breaking new ground in gender equity and logistics. He stressed the importance of the Paralympics as a catalyst for societal change, stating, “change starts with sport. Despite concerns about ticket sales leading up to the event, stadiums were packed, riding the wave of enthusiasm from the highly successful Paris Olympics.
Unforgettable Performances and Celebrations
The closing ceremony in and of itself was a colorful exhibition of french electronic music with jean-michel jarre (who is 76 years old, by the way) conducting 20 djs. Sadly, the weather did not permit the Paralympic flame to complete its last symbolic climb in the Tuileries Gardens because of its winds and rains.
China Tops Medals Table, Ukraine and France Shine
Speaking of athletic accomplishments, China once again ruled the Paralympics with 94 golds and first place on the medal table. 55 for Great Britain, 49 for the UK, and 36 for the USA. Host nation France ended with 19 gold medals, finishing eighth overall.
Notably, Ukrainian athletes overcame significant challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in their homeland to secure seventh place, winning 22 gold medals.
Final Day Highlights
On the last day Switzerland swept it in the men’s and women’s wheelchair marathons. Catherine Debrunner won her fifth gold medal after winning a variety of events on the track, and Marcel Hug, 38, rebounded from earlier struggles to dominate the men’s marathon.
In the women’s wheelchair basketball game for the gold medal, the Netherlands held on to their gold from Tokyo 2020, they beat the USA 63-49. The American men’s team did win their third straight gold in wheelchair basketball earlier in the weekend though.
Tribute to Rebecca Cheptegei
A minute’s silence was held in honor of Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically passed away earlier in the week. Cheptegei ran in the women’s marathon in the Olympic Games on August 11.
