A View on the Paris Paralympics

The Paralympics in Paris are held every four years alongside the Olympics, to showcase the abilities of disabled athletes. The event has evolved greatly since it was first established in 1960, with only 400 athletes competing at that time, to now having over 4,400 athletes from more than 165 nations.

Paris, known for their abundant history and their cultural significance, will be hosting the Paralympics for the first time. Offering their iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River for opening/closing ceremonies and venues such as the Stade de France and the Paris La Defense Arena that will see the extraordinary competitions.  

In 2004, China secured the top spot in the leaderboard and has continued to maintain its lead by topping the medal table with 110 medals, 52 of which are gold. China’s strong athletic program and dominant performance have consistently placed it at the top of the leaderboard.

Great Britain is currently in second place on the leaderboard with a total of 59 medals, including 30 gold medals. Poppy Maskill notably won gold in the women’s S14 100-meter butterfly event, breaking the Paralympic record by a third of a second with a time of 1:00.30.

Adding on to the record-breaking streak, the United States, currently in third place, holds 18 golds out of 52 medals. Two of the United States’ well-deserved medals were gained by two exceptional Olympians, demonstrating their tenacity and moral character. In the grade three individual horse race, Rebecca Hart won gold, and in the S9 100-meter backstroke, Olympian Christie Raleigh-Crossley also triumphed.

Coming closely behind, Brazil is currently holding a fourth-place spot with the 14 gold medals out of the 48 they won. With Yeltsin Jacques winning the men’s 1500-meter T11, which is an event for those with the most severe form of impairment, with a gold medal along with Jerusa Geber also winning gold in the women’s 100 meters T11.  

With the Paralympics Games ending on September 8th, each nation’s race for medals is becoming more heated. China has continued to maintain their lead, but the competition for the number one spot is becoming more intense between the United States and Great Britian. These last few days of the competition will most likely bring some fiery performances and make some unforgettable moments for the athletes and spectators at home.