The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were hailed as a return to sport, taking the spotlight at some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Chateau de Versailles and the Grand Palais. The opening ceremony would see the athletes parade through the iconic Avenue des Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde.
Over 4,000 Paralympians from around the globe would converge on Paris to compete in the first post-Covid Games, free of the restrictions of Tokyo and ready to show world the transformations and advancements they had made in the intervening 4 years. Nations, never before seen at the Paralympics would debut athletes in the 2025.
Paris, the city of love, welcomed the Paralympic Games with open arms. Parisians, often portrayed as rude and unfriendly to tourists, we able to release these shackles and embrace the athletes, teams and spectators alike.
Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower, strolling along the Seine, climbing the steps to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, exploring the alleys of Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, viewing the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo at the Louvre Museum or Napoleon’s tomb at Hôtel des Invalides complemented the athletic performances seen during the 10 days of the Games.
More Paralympic Records were broken at these Games. Paralympians defending their titles from Tokyo were beaten by virtual unknowns who were lifting the bar of performances, closing the gap between Para and Olympic achievement.
Being able to participate in the Games as a spectator, proudly wearing and waving the silver fern as the New Zealand athletes competed, was an absolute privilege. There is no comparison to experiencing the thrill of competition live. The splendor of the venues, the roaring and chanting of the crowd and the anticipation, nerves and relief as our Paralympians performed cannot be replicated while watching from afar.
Sharing this experience with my travelling companions and the New Zealand delegation was wonderful, but the wider camaraderie from those supporting other athletes from different nations is something which brings the Paralympic family together. No matter the colour of supporters gear, the celebration of Paralympic excellence transcended all. This is the magic of the Paralympic Movement, its more than just athletic performances which are celebrated, its the belief that through events like the Paralympic Games, the understanding of disability will be enhanced, the rights of disabled people will be improved and the lives touched by anyone with an impairment will be better for it.
The words of Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, when opening the Games are resounding:
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when the barriers to succeed are removed. Liberté! The right to live freely and without oppression. Egalité! Every person with a disability deserves the opportunity to thrive and live life free from barriers, free from discrimination and free from marginalisation. Fraternite! We are one, but we are not the same. We are all from the same family, humanity.
The Paris Paralympic Games set a new benchmark for disabled people, not only on the field of play but also on the expectations they take forward. I am optimistic the future for disabled people will improve, with sport playing a key role in making their lives better. I am proud to be part of the Paralympic Movement and be a champion of change here in New Zealand.
We are in the team 