Paralympics shifted perceptions, but not the living conditions of people with disabilities
The 4,400 Paralympic athletes who competed in 22 disciplines in Paris from August 28 to September 8, 2024, generated record-breaking viewership. There were 1.3 billion viewers for para swimming events, 1.2 billion for para athletics, and 193.6 million for the closing ceremony. This represents a 40% increase compared to the 2021 Tokyo Games. "No one would have imagined the public's enthusiasm for the Paralympics. It was 'wow' in the stadium, outside, and in the media," said Marc Truffaut, president of the French Federation for Adapted Sports. "From morning to night, you could see and hear people with disabilities playing sports and witness the adaptations they require."
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