With less than 10 days remaining, Paralympic athletes from 182 delegations across five continents are set to gather at the Paralympic Village near Paris.
Originally designed for non-disabled athletes during the Olympics, the village was built with accessibility as a priority, ensuring easy movement for wheelchair users, as explained by the directors.
“The Paralympic Village was already prepared before we even created the Olympic Village. All public spaces are ready to welcome the Paralympians, as they were designed with legacy in mind for after the Games,” says Laurent Michaud.
“We only needed to make a few adjustments, such as adding more micromobility services and devices to enhance mobility within the village, especially for those in wheelchairs.”
Over 4,400 athletes will compete in 22 sports across iconic venues, including the Chateau de Versailles.
A repair center has also been established in the village to support athletes throughout the 11-day event.
“A key aspect of the Paralympics involves the use of wheelchairs, prostheses, and orthoses, which may require adjustments or repairs during the Games. That’s why Ottobock, a partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, has set up a repair center specifically for prostheses, wheelchairs, and orthoses. This center will be available at the village during the Paralympic Games, handling around 2,000 repairs throughout the event, or about 200 each day.”
Spanning 52 hectares (equivalent to 70 soccer fields), the Paralympic Village offers a wide range of amenities, including a large refectory with multiple food stations, a vast sports hall, training fields, a polyclinic, prayer rooms, and an anti-doping center.
An unprecedented outdoor opening ceremony will launch the Games on August 28.