Simone Barlaam, Diede de Groot, Marcel Hug, Blake Haxton, Jessica Long… The Paris 2024 Paralympics is a showcase of exceptionally talented athletes competing at the highest level. 

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• Paralympics Paris 2024 at a glance
• 15 remarkable athletes from around the globe
• Final thoughts 

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games marked a historic moment as France hosted its first-ever Summer Paralympics, welcoming over 4,400 athletes who competed in 22 sports. The event, spanning 11 days from 28 August to 8 September 2024, saw fierce competition for 549 gold medals.

The athletes competing in Paris come from diverse backgrounds and bring inspiring stories of triumph and determination. From seasoned veterans to young rising stars, the 2024 Paralympics promises to be a spectacular display of human resilience and sporting excellence.

Paralympics Paris 2024 at a glance

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were a landmark event, widely celebrated by athletes as the "best Paralympics ever." France hosted its first Summer Paralympics, attracting over 4,000 athletes from 168 nations, who competed in 549 medal events across 22 sports. The Games drew record-breaking crowds, with passionate support from fans, who packed the venues to cheer not only for French athletes but for competitors from across the globe.

Participation and sporting events
Among the 22 sports at Paris 2024, highlights included swimming, wheelchair tennis, athletics, goalball, and wheelchair basketball. In wheelchair tennis, Argentina's Gustavo Fernandez made history by winning a bronze medal, becoming the first South American to claim a Paralympic medal in the sport. The Games also featured events at iconic French landmarks, including the equestrian competitions held at the Château de Versailles, where Denmark's Katrine Kristensen secured a silver medal, describing the experience as "once-in-a-lifetime."

Top performers and medal counts
The United States, China, and Great Britain emerged as the top-performing nations, with the U.S. excelling, particularly in swimming, where Jessica Long added two gold medals to her impressive career tally during her sixth Paralympic Games. The USA women's wheelchair basketball team also celebrated a silver medal finish, reflecting the heightened competitiveness of women’s events across participating countries.

Viewership and engagement
With an estimated global audience in the hundreds of millions, the 2024 Paralympics set new standards in engagement, driven by high attendance and comprehensive media coverage. Athletes highlighted the impact of the supportive crowds, with Jessica Long noting it as the "most incredible crowd" she had ever competed in front of.

Innovations at Paris 2024
Paris 2024 introduced several key advancements in accessibility and technology:

1. Enhanced prosthetics and gear: Cutting-edge assistive technology provided athletes with high-performance prosthetics, customised for various sports, facilitating a higher level of competition.
2. Inclusive venues: The Games featured some of the most accessible Paralympic venues to date, ensuring comfort and access for both athletes and spectators with disabilities.
3. Sustainability initiatives: A focus on sustainability was evident, with eco-friendly transport options, low-carbon venues, and digital measures to reduce waste.
4. Recognition of women’s sport: These Games saw a record number of female competitors and medal events for women, highlighting the contributions of women to Paralympic sport.

15 remarkable athletes from around the globe

1. Simone Barlaam (Italy) – Para-Swimming

Simone Barlaam, a para-swimmer from Italy, has become a key figure in the world of para-swimming and Italy's rise as a Paralympic powerhouse in the pool. Born with one leg shorter than the other due to a hip condition, Barlaam underwent multiple surgeries during his childhood. He started swimming competitively at 14 and made his international debut at the 2017 World Championships. Despite the challenges, Barlaam has become one of the top performers in the S9 category, winning multiple gold medals at the World Championships and a gold at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. He enters Paris 2024 as a favourite, especially after dominating the 2023 World Championships.

Key Events: S9 400m freestyle, S9 50m freestyle, S9 100m backstroke

2. Diede de Groot (Netherlands) – Wheelchair Tennis

Diede de Groot, the current world number one in both singles and doubles wheelchair tennis, is a dominant force in her sport. Born with her right leg shorter than the other, De Groot has consistently excelled since her debut in 2017. She is the first player to win three consecutive calendar Grand Slams in wheelchair tennis. At the Tokyo Paralympics, she secured gold in both singles and doubles, and she is widely expected to defend her titles in Paris.

Key Events: Women’s singles and doubles finals

3. Marcel Hug (Switzerland) – Para-Athletics

Known as the "Silver Bullet" for his iconic silver helmet, Marcel Hug has long been a standout in para-athletics. Hug has been a star on the track, winning six Paralympic gold medals, including four golds at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Competing in the T54 wheelchair racing category, Hug is an established name in long-distance racing, with victories in marathons across the globe. He looks to continue his winning streak in Paris.

Key Events: T54 800m, T54 1500m, T54 Marathon

4. Oksana Masters (United States) – Para-Cycling

Oksana Masters has conquered both summer and winter Paralympics, excelling in para-cycling, cross-country skiing, and biathlon. Born in Ukraine with severe birth defects due to the Chernobyl disaster, Masters was later adopted by an American mother. After her legs were amputated due to her condition, Masters found success in multiple sports. In Tokyo 2020, she added two golds to her extensive medal collection and aims for more in Paris.

Key Events: H5 time trial, H5 road race

5. Markus Rehm (Germany) – Para-Athletics

Markus Rehm, known as the "Blade Jumper," is an extraordinary athlete in the long jump T64 category, competing with a prosthetic leg. Having lost his right leg in a wakeboarding accident, Rehm has consistently pushed the boundaries in para-athletics. He holds the world record in the T64 long jump at 8.72m, a distance that would be competitive in the Olympic Games. Paris 2024 is likely to see Rehm claim his fourth Paralympic long jump title.

Key Events: T64 long jump

6. Sheetal Devi (India) – Para-Archery

Seventeen-year-old Sheetal Devi is a trailblazer in para-archery, being the first female para-archer to compete internationally without arms. Born with phocomelia, a condition that resulted in missing upper limbs, Devi shoots arrows using her feet. After taking up the sport just three years ago, she quickly rose to prominence by winning gold at the Asian Para Games and claiming silver at the World Championships.

Key Events: Women’s individual compound, Mixed team compound

7. Alexis Hanquinquant (France) – Para-Triathlon

France's Alexis Hanquinquant is the reigning Paralympic champion in the PTS4 category of para-triathlon. A former martial artist and basketball player, Hanquinquant lost his leg in a work accident and took up para-sports shortly after. Since then, he has dominated his division and remains unbeaten since the Tokyo Paralympics. Hanquinquant is one of France’s brightest hopes for gold on home soil.

Key Events: Men’s PTS4 triathlon

8. Morgan Stickney (United States) – Para-Swimming

Morgan Stickney’s journey from Olympic hopeful to Paralympic champion is both inspirational and extraordinary. After losing both legs due to a rare vascular condition, Stickney returned to the pool and went on to win two golds at the Tokyo Paralympics. Despite ongoing medical challenges, she remains a determined competitor and is aiming to defend her titles in Paris.

Key Events: S7 400m freestyle, S7 100m freestyle

9. Sarah Adam (United States) – Wheelchair Rugby

Sarah Adam made history by becoming the first woman to win gold with the USA Wheelchair Rugby team at the Parapan American Games. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2016, Adam was introduced to wheelchair rugby and quickly became a key player. She is set to be the first American woman to compete in wheelchair rugby at the Paralympics, a sport traditionally dominated by men.

Key Events: Wheelchair rugby

10. Olivia Chambers (United States) – Para-Swimming

Olivia Chambers is a rising star in para-swimming, making her Paralympic debut in Paris after a breakout performance at the 2023 World Championships. She competes in the S13 classification, for athletes with visual impairments, and holds American records in several events. Chambers’ determination and resilience, having lost her sight at 16, have made her a standout in the sport.

Key Events: S13 1500m freestyle, S13 400m individual medley

11. Ezra Frech (United States) – Para-Track & Field

Ezra Frech, who competes in the T63 category for athletes with limb deficiency, is a young star in para-track and field. Born with congenital limb differences, Frech had his leg amputated at the age of three. He is a world record holder in the high jump and won silver at the 2024 Para Athletics World Championships. Paris 2024 offers Frech the opportunity to win his first Paralympic gold.

Key Events: T63 high jump, T63 100m dash

12. Blake Haxton (United States) – Para-Canoe

Blake Haxton is a versatile Paralympian who has competed in both rowing and para-canoe. After contracting a rare disease that resulted in the loss of his legs, Haxton has made multiple appearances at the Paralympics, winning silver in the VL2 canoe event in Tokyo. With a renewed focus on canoeing, Haxton is aiming to secure his first gold medal in Paris.

Key Events: VL2 canoe

13. Trevon Jenifer (United States) – Wheelchair Basketball

Trevon Jenifer is a seasoned Paralympic athlete, having competed in three Paralympics and winning two golds and one bronze in wheelchair basketball. Born without legs, Jenifer started playing basketball at a young age and has become one of the key players for Team USA. In addition to his athletic career, Jenifer works for the U.S. Secret Service and is an inspirational speaker.

Key Events: Wheelchair basketball

14. Grace Norman (United States) – Para-Triathlon

Grace Norman made history as the first U.S. athlete to win gold in para-triathlon during its Paralympic debut at Rio 2016. Competing in the PTS5 category for athletes with limb impairments, Norman has consistently been a top contender in both triathlon and track events. She returns to Paris as a favourite for gold once again.

Key Events: Women’s PTS5 triathlon

15. Jessica Long (United States) – Para-Swimming

Jessica Long is a legendary figure in para-swimming, with 29 Paralympic medals to her name, including 16 golds. Born in Siberia and adopted by an American family, Long had both legs amputated as a child. Despite this, she has become one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in history. In Paris, Long will look to add to her already impressive medal tally.

Key Events: S8 100m butterfly, SM8 200m individual medley

Final thoughts 

The 2024 Paralympic Games bring together extraordinary athletes, competing in a wide array of sports. From veterans defending their titles to young competitors looking to make their mark, these athletes embody the Paralympic spirit of resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence. 

Each of these athletes has faced significant challenges, yet they have turned those challenges into remarkable achievements, inspiring millions around the world. As we look forward to the Paris Paralympics, it is clear that these athletes will not only push the limits of their sports but will also continue to advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and equality in sports and society.