IPC President Andrew Parsons says Paris 2024 will set the benchmark for all future Video games ⒸParis 2024 – Tomas Stevens
With one 12 months to go, Worldwide Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons believes Paris 2024 is on the course to ship essentially the most spectacular Paralympic Video games in historical past.
The Brazilian believes world class sport, iconic venues, a primary Video games because the pandemic, and a revolutionary method by the Organising Committee, are the proper elements to ship a Paralympics that can surpass the achievements of any earlier Video games version.
Andrew Parsons mentioned: “As we attain the one 12 months to go milestone, all the celebrities are aligning for Paris 2024 to ship large and memorable Paralympic Video games, setting a benchmark for all future editions.
“The Organising Committee has promised progressive and revolutionary Paralympics, Video games Large Open to all. So far, they’re delivering on all their guarantees and with 12 months to go I couldn’t be extra excited for the Video games and the legacy they’ll ship.
“Having attended many Para sport occasions this 12 months, the extent of sport efficiency is sort of merely unimaginable. With the surroundings Paris 2024 is creating for athletes subsequent summer time, which incorporates many gorgeous sport venues on the coronary heart of town, I feel the sporting motion will surpass all of our expectations.
“These would be the first Paralympics in Europe since London 2012 and the primary to be he held with spectators since Rio 2016. This mix, along with accessible and reasonably priced tickets, will guarantee we now have huge crowds packing the venues, bringing the perfect out of our athletes. I feel the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games are going to be spectacular.”
Purpose to promote each Paralympic ticket
With tickets going on-sale at household pleasant and reasonably priced costs from 9 October on a first-come, first served foundation, the IPC President hopes that each one 2.8 million tickets are bought.
Half of all tickets value EUR 25 or much less whereas tickets for the 22 sports activities vary from EUR 15 to EUR 100.
“I feel there can be a large demand for Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games tickets as soon as they go on-sale on 9 October,” defined Parsons.
“The Paralympic Video games has all the time prided itself on providing accessible tickets to all, and Paris 2024 is not any totally different. We have now labored laborious with the Organising Committee to make sure reasonably priced and household pleasant costs for world class sport in completely gorgeous and iconic venues.
“The Paralympic Video games are one of many world’s few mega sport occasions which you can afford to attend with all of your family and friends; it’s what makes the environment on the Video games so distinctive and particular for everybody who attends.
“Over the past decade we now have witnessed a dramatic enchancment in athletic efficiency throughout all 22 sports activities, whereas the depth of expertise and degree of competitors has by no means been higher. When it comes to sport efficiency there isn’t a doubt that Paris 2024 would be the finest Paralympic Video games ever.
“As with each Video games, we hope we will promote each single ticket to spectators as soon as they go on-sale on 9 October. With world class sport, gorgeous venues, and reasonably priced tickets we intention to realize this objective.”
The closest the Paralympic Video games has come to promoting out was London 2012 when 2.72 million tickets (95% of capability) had been bought. Had it not been for the pandemic then Tokyo 2020 would possible have been the primary Paralympic Video games to sell-out after there have been 3.1 million requests for tickets within the first few months of gross sales.
Paralympics already ship a legacy
With one 12 months till the spectacular opening ceremony on the coronary heart of town on the enduring Champs-Elysées and Place de la Concorde, the IPC President has mentioned the Paralympic Video games is already having an affect on French society, delivering a transformational legacy.
In April, President Macron introduced a brand new coverage which prioritises accessibility, schooling and employment for individuals with disabilities. It features a dedication to take a position EUR 1.5 billion to enhance the accessibility of locations of day by day life. The Metropolis of Paris can also be investing EUR 125 million in accessibility tasks.
Andrew Parsons mentioned: “The Paralympic Video games are distinctive. They showcase world class sport whereas additionally having an incredible transformational societal affect on the host metropolis and nation.
“Internet hosting the Paralympic Video games has acted as a catalyst for the French authorities and Metropolis of Paris to focus extra on funding and initiatives that won’t solely enhance the lives of France’s 12 million individuals with disabilities but additionally profit vacationers and anybody with accessibility wants. These legacies are already having an affect even earlier than the Opening Ceremony.”
Paris 2024 set for document and most various NPC participation
Parsons is assured {that a} document variety of Nationwide Paralympic Committees (NPCs) will compete at Paris 2024, surpassing the 164 that competed on the London 2012.
In his view, the maturing of NPCs and Worldwide Federations, along with an funding of greater than EUR 30 million over the past decade by the IPC into membership programmes, will end in better NPC participation, elevated range, improved gender parity, and stronger expertise depth and competitors throughout all 22 sports activities.
“Whereas the variety of athletes who can compete on the Paralympics is capped at 4,400, I’m assured that round 180 NPCs will participate at Paris 2024, beating the document set at London 2012,” mentioned Parsons.
“Over the past decade the IPC has labored tirelessly with our members to maximise what every brings to the Paralympic Motion. This has included organising a number of sport growth programmes which have elevated the quantity and variety of athletes, coaches and officers the world over.
“By supporting our members globally, we now have seen a better diversification of athlete expertise which is finest highlighted by the truth that a document 86 NPCs received not less than one medal at Tokyo 2020.
“At Paris 2024, there can be a document 235 medal occasions for ladies, and extra competitors alternatives for athletes with excessive assist wants than ever earlier than. With virtually double the variety of feminine athlete slots in comparison with the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games can be our greatest and most various Video games but.”
The IPC President additionally confirmed that the participation of NPC Russia and NPC Belarus on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games can be determined by the IPC membership on the IPC Basic Meeting in Bahrain on 29 September.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games will happen between 28 August and eight September 2024. To register for Paralympic tickets, please go to: Tickets.paris2024.org
