Two weeks have passed since we bid farewell to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, but it's time to get out your green and gold again. Paris is gearing up for 11 more days of thrilling competition at the Paralympic Games, kicking off on August 28.
From wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball to blind football and boccia, the 2024 Paralympics will see up to 4,400 athletes compete in 22 sports across 549 events. Australia is sending 138 of its very own para-athletes to chase gold, and here’s how you can watch every race and game live from Down Under.
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Where are the 2024 Paralympics?
Just like with the 2024 Olympic Games, the Paralympics will be hosted in Paris, France across 20 venues.
Arguably France’s most famous stadium, the Stade de France will host the athletics. The lawns of Champ de Mars, between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire, will transform into a pop-up arena for para judo and wheelchair rugby, while one of the city's most famous public parks at the foot of the Eiffel Tower will turn into a temporary arena for blind football. You can find out more about the venues here.
When do the 2024 Paralympics start and end?
The 2024 Paralympic Games kick off in Paris on Wednesday, August 28 and wrap up on Sunday, September 8.
What time is the Paralympics Opening Ceremony?
The 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 28 at 8pm Paris local time. In Australia, this falls on Thursday, August 29. If you’re hoping to watch it in real-time, then set your alarms for:
- 2am AWST – WA
- 3.30am ACST – NT, SA
- 4am AEST – ACT, QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS
Dual gold-medalist wheelchair racer, Madison de Rozario and four-time Paralympic swimmer, Brenden Hall were named as Australia’s flag bearers in 2024.
The competition will begin the day after the Opening Ceremony, on Thursday, August 29, with 11 Paralympic sports. This includes medal events in para swimming, para cycling track, para table tennis and para taekwondo. You can check out the competition schedule here.
How to watch the Paris 2024 Paralympics on TV in Australia?
The 2024 Paralympics will be broadcast in Australia on more than 20 free-to-air channels under the Nine Network. You can also watch on-demand highlights for free after they’ve happened on the 9Now streaming platform. It can be accessed on your web browser or through your Smart TV, mobile or tablet after downloading the app.
Stan Sport will also broadcast the Paralympics ad-free, live and on-demand in 4K Ultra HD. You can access Stan Sport here.
What sports are included in the Paralympics?
The 2024 Paralympics will feature 22 sports, with para cycling divided into road and track races. Here is a full list of the sports:
- Blind football
- Boccia
- Goalball
- Para archery
- Para athletics
- Para badminton
- Para canoe
- Para cycling road
- Para cycling track
- Para equestrian
- Para judo
- Para powerlifting
- Para rowing
- Para swimming
- Para table tennis
- Para taekwondo
- Para triathlon
- Shooting para sport
- Sitting volleyball
- Wheelchair basketball
- Wheelchair fencing
- Wheelchair rugby
- Wheelchair tennis
Who is competing at the 2024 Paralympics from Australia?
Currently, 138 athletes have been named to the Australian Paralympic team from 17 sports. This includes 35 para-athletes, 30 para-swimmers, 8 para-rowers and two boccia competitors. You can find a full list of para-athletes competing in Paris here.
When is the Paralympics Closing Ceremony?
The 2024 Paralympics Closing Ceremony will take place on Monday, September 9 at 8pm Paris local time. In Australia, this falls on Tuesday, September 10 at:
- 2am AWST – WA
- 3.30am ACST – NT, SA
- 4am AEST – ACT, QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS
How many medals did Australia win at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics?
Australia finished the Tokyo Paralympics with a total of 80 medals, including 21 gold, 29 silver and 30 bronze. This is almost identical to the 81 medals they won at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics and placed them in eighth place on the overall medal tally.
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