The 2024 Paralympic games came to a triumphant finale on Sep. 8 with a rainy closing ceremony at the Stade de France. Paralympians and spectators came together to reframe the narrative for Para athletics and commemorate the record-breaking athletic accomplishments of those who competed.
Over 40 world records were broken at this year’s Paralympic games–more than half of the records were broken by swimmers at the La Defense Arena. Most notably, Italy’s Simone Barlaam broke his own record in the men’s S9 50m freestyle and won four medals, three gold and one silver, over the course of the games. Additionally, Brazil’s Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo broke the world record twice in a row in the men’s 150m SM2, both in the standard heats and the finals.
“I find the paralympics so inspiring,” senior Varsity swimmer Anna Klotz said. “Being able to see athletes of all different abilities compete is so important to people watching all around the world.”
Many milestones were also achieved in the track and field events of this year’s Paralympic games. Australia’s Vanessa Low set a world record in the women’s T61 long jump, and USA’s Jaydin Blackwell did the same in the men’s T38 100m.
“Track and field is such an amazing sport because there are so many different disciplines,” Track and Cross Country coach Kayla Magill said, “It’s more accessible than a lot of other sports.”
According to NBC Universal, the 2020 Paralympic games in Tokyo attracted approximately 5 million fewer viewers on average for TV events. Taking the necessary steps to bring more engagement to the Paralympics means more benefits for Paralympians.
There is an ongoing discussion about whether the holding of the Paralympics after the Olympic games is equitable to the occurrence of and attention surrounding the Olympic games. Suggestions such as holding them at the same time or having an Olympian pass the torch to a Paralympian to signify the transition to the Paralympic games could make a huge difference in engagement and awareness.
“One could see it as a shallow gesture, but it could set up the Paralympics as the next stage for the Olympics narrative, forcing audiences to provide more coverage of the Paralympics,” writer Scott Clifford said in an article with WHYY. “The best way to keep your audience is to leave them wanting more.”
The next Paralympic and Olympic games will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.
