Can you believe it’s already been a year since the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games?
Every day was magical. Around 4,400 athletes from a record 169 delegations lit up the City of Light, performing in front of electrifying crowds and showcasing the very best of Para sport. With over 500 medal events across 22 sports, the Games were packed with unforgettable moments, from athletic feats and historic firsts to a heart-warming proposal.
Join us as we relive some of the most memorable highlights to celebrate the first anniversary of Paris 2024.
A stunning Opening Ceremony in the heart of Paris
The Opening Ceremony was a dream come true. For the first time in Paralympic history, the Ceremony was held outside a stadium—marking the beginning of the first Paralympic Games ever hosted in France. Athletes from around the world paraded through the iconic Place de la Concorde and along the Champs-Elysées, cheered on by thousands of fans waving flags and celebrating the spirit of Para sport.
Led by flagbearers Nantenin Keita and Alexis Hanquinquant, the French delegation made a memorable entrance to the tune of “Champs-Elysées.” The Ceremony dazzled with fireworks, music, and dance performances, and even featured a tour of Paris by French Paralympic hero Théo Curin, who drove a Phryge taxi—a red car adorned with hundreds of Paralympic mascots.
The Paralympic cauldron was lit by five French Paralympians: Hanquinquant, Keita, Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault, and Elodie Lorandi.
Read more about the Opening Ceremony and what the athletes had to say
Day 1: First gold of Paris 2024 and a historic first
The first day of competition saw Para athletes take centre stage in front of a packed crowd, which included Hollywood action star Jackie Chan and former Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp, who came to support his friend and Para badminton player Wojtek Czyz.
Dutch Para cyclist Caroline Groot claimed the first gold medal of the Games, winning the women’s 500m time trial C4-5 at the Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
Later in the day, history was made on the Para taekwondo mat at the Grand Palais. Zakia Khudadadi earned bronze in the women’s K44 -47kg event, becoming the first athlete from the Refugee Paralympic Team to win a medal at the Games.
“I am so, so happy today. For me, this medal is a dream,” Khudadadi said. “Today I am in a dream.”
Read the Day 1 medal highlights and big moments
Day 2: Love is in the air… and medals
After much anticipation, Para athletics kicked off on the iconic purple track at the Stade de France. Brazil’s Julio Cesar Agripino dos Santos and Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili were among the gold medallists on the first day of competition.
In shooting Para sport, India’s Avani Lekhara successfully defended her women’s 10m air rifle standing title, setting a new Paralympic record in the process. Having made history as India’s first-ever female Paralympic gold medallist at Tokyo 2020, Lekhara continued her winning streak—this time sharing the podium with teammate Mona Agarwal, who claimed bronze.
At the Grand Palais, Para taekwondo pioneer Lisa Kjaer closed out her storied career with a victory. She celebrated on the podium after defeating Cameroon’s Marie Antoinnette Dassi in the bronze medal match of the women’s K44 –65kg event.
And who can forget a heart-warming proposal? Brazilian Para badminton player Rogerio Junior Xavier de Oliveira proposed to sitting volleyball player Edwarda Dias de Oliveira after his match at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena. Holding a sign that read “Edwarda, Will You Marry Me?”, he got down on one knee with a ring box.
One year later, the couple are training together to compete in Para badminton’s mixed doubles event at the LA28 Paralympic Games.
Read the Day 2 medal highlights and big moments
Day 3: Proving there are no limits
Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham won bronze in the Para archery women’s individual compound open while 28 weeks pregnant. Competing against teammate Phoebe Paterson Pine, Grinham shared that she felt her baby kick.
On the shooting range, Iran’s Sareh Javanmardi claimed her third women’s 10m air pistol SH1 gold. Jinho Park of the Republic of Korea won the men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final, adding a gold to his collection of silver and bronze from Tokyo 2020.
The Para table tennis competition featured a new event on Day 3, with China’s Mao Jingdian and Zhao Shuai becoming the first-ever mixed doubles champions, winning the XD17 competition. They faced compatriots Peng Weinan and Xiong Guiyan in the final in what was another strong day for China at the South Paris Arena.
 and Jingdian Mao (R), Paris 2024 table tennis.jpg)
Read the Day 3 medal highlights and big moments
Day 4: Making waves
The final day of Para rowing delivered five gold medals, including a historic win for Australia’s Jed Altschwager and Nikki Ayers in the mixed double sculls – PR3Mix2x, a newly introduced event. For Altschwager, Paris 2024 marked his Paralympic debut and the new format helped him soar straight to the top of the podium with Ayers.
Lauren Rowles became a three-time Paralympic gold medallist on what was an outstanding day on the water for Great Britain. Along with Gregg Stevenson, Rowles won gold in the mixed double sculls PR2 by passing China in the last 100 metres. Moran Samuel of Israel finished ahead of Birgit Skarstein in a tightly contested women’s single sculls PR1 final to claim her first Paralympic title.
The first boccia medals were also awarded on Day 4, with men and women competing separately in individual events for the first time at a Games. Portugal’s Cristina Goncalves earned her first gold since Athens 2004, defeating Republic of Korea’s Soyeong Jeong in the women’s individual BC2 final. Thailand’s Worawut Saengampa took gold in the men’s BC2 event.
In Para archery, icon Matt Stutzman finally captured his first gold medal. He shared his hopes that archers without arms would be inspired to follow in his footsteps.
Read the Day 4 medal highlights and big moments
Day 5: Para triathlon and big day for hosts
Para triathlon stars took to the spotlight on Day 5. Home hero Alexis Hanquinquant received a rockstar reception from fans and proved he is the ultimate showman, winning gold in the men’s PTS4 event. The men’s PTS2 was won by France’s Jules Ribstein, while Spain’s Daniel Molina won the PTS3 gold in his return to the Paralympic Games for the first time since Athens 2004.
Three years after being beaten by just a second in the women’s PTWC race at Tokyo 2020, Australia’s Lauren Parker won her maiden gold by dominating the field in Paris. She also won two medals in Para cycling at Paris 2024, her second Games.
On the boccia court, Aurelie Aubert captured France’s first-ever Paralympic medal in the sport after beating Singapore’s Jeralyn Tan in the women’s individual BC1 event. Her smile and tearful embrace with her coach was carried on news bulletins across the host country.
Day 5 also brought more unforgettable firsts. Japan’s wheelchair rugby team had a fairytale ending, defeating rivals USA in the final to capture their first Paralympic gold. At the Stade de France, Ongiou Timeon made history as the first athlete to represent Kiribati, competing in the men’s shot put F11.
Mariam Eniola Bolaji clinched bronze in the women’s Para badminton SL3 event. She became the first athlete from Africa to win a badminton medal at either the Paralympics or the Olympics.
Read the Day 5 medal highlights and big moments
Day 6: More sports join the spotlight
Day 6 welcomed more sports into the Paris 2024 spotlight. Para equestrian competition got underway at the stunning Chateau de Versailles. Competing at her fifth Paralympics, Rebecca Hart won her long-awaited first gold aboard Florantina in the individual Grade III event. Team USA’s Fiona Howard topped the podium in Grade II, while Latvia’s Rihards Snikus upgraded his Tokyo 2020 silver to gold in Grade I.
Wheelchair fencing also started at the Grand Palais. Thailand’s Saysunee Jana won the women’s sabre category B gold, beating world champion Xiao Rong by a single point. While this was her first Paralympic gold since 2012, Jana topped the podium two more times in Paris.
At the Stade de France, world records continued to fall. Australia’s James Turner won the men’s 400m T36 final in 51.54 seconds. Brazil’s Yeltsin Jacques also won the men’s 1500m T11 final with a time of 3:55.82.
Read the Day 6 medal highlights and big moments
Day 7: Celebrating milestones
US Para swimming legend Jessica Long reached a major milestone, winning her 30th Paralympic medal with gold in the women’s 400m freestyle S8. She has now won at least one gold medal at every Paralympic Games since Athens 2004.
Dutch duo Sam Schröder and Niels Vink became the first wheelchair tennis champions of Paris 2024, winning in straight sets against Great Britain’s Andy Lapthorne and Gregory Slade to retain their quad doubles title. South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole earned bronze, becoming Africa’s first-ever Paralympic medallists in wheelchair tennis.
At the Esplanade des Invalides, India’s Harvinder Singh made history by winning gold in the men’s individual recurve open event, India’s first-ever Paralympic archery gold. Meanwhile, at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, Jordan’s Omar Qarada claimed the first Para powerlifting gold of Paris 2024, lifting 181kg in the men’s -49kg division to defend his Tokyo 2020 title.
Read the Day 7 medal highlights and big moments
Day 8: Drama on the court
Day 8 delivered thrilling team sport action and historic wins.
On the goalball court, Turkiye’s Sevda Altunoluk and Fatma Gul Guler each scored four goals to lead their team to an 8–3 victory over Israel in the women’s final, securing the gold medal. In the men’s final, Japan clinched their first-ever goalball medal, winning gold with a dramatic 4–3 overtime victory against Ukraine.
Blind football saw a stunning upset in the semifinals, as Argentina defeated Brazil in a penalty shootout, denying Brazil a sixth consecutive Paralympic gold. Osvaldo Fernandez scored the winning penalty at the Eiffel Tower Stadium, sealing Argentina’s historic triumph.
At the Bercy Arena, Great Britain reached their first Paralympic men’s wheelchair basketball final since 1996, defeating Germany 71–43 in a commanding semifinal performance.
Read the Day 8 medal highlights and big moments
Day 9: Couple goals and a medal rush
Day 9 was filled with emotional victories, record-breaking performances, and historic firsts.
At the Stade de France, the golden couple of Paris 2024 stole the spotlight. USA’s Hunter Woodhall won his first Paralympic gold in the men’s 400m T62 final, finishing ahead of world record holder Johannes Floors of Germany. His triumph came just weeks after his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, won Olympic gold in the women’s long jump, also at the Stade de France.
Over at the North Paris Arena, Iran’s men’s sitting volleyball team continued their dominance, winning their eighth Paralympic title with a 3–1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Morteza Mehrzadselakjani led the team as the top scorer.
In Para powerlifting, Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin smashed both the world and Paralympic records in the men’s –72kg event to secure gold. Nigeria’s Onyinyechi Mark made a stunning debut, winning the women’s –61kg category after breaking the world record twice in succession.
Brazil’s most decorated women’s Para judoka, Alana Maldonado, claimed gold in the women’s –70kg J2 event, defeating China’s Wang Yue with an impressive ippon in the final. Meanwhile, at Roland Garros, Japan’s Yui Kamiji pulled off a thrilling three-set victory over favorite Diede de Groot of the Netherlands in the women’s wheelchair tennis singles—just a day after winning the doubles title.
Read the Day 9 medal highlights
Day 10: A magical day and dreams come true
Under the dazzling lights of the Eiffel Tower, the French blind football team fulfilled their dream. In a dramatic gold medal match, Frédéric Villeroux scored the winning penalty in a shootout against Argentina after a 1–1 draw in regular time. Defending champions Brazil secured bronze by defeating Paralympic debutants Colombia.
Team USA had a golden day in team sports, winning its third consecutive gold in both men’s wheelchair basketball and women’s sitting volleyball.
At La Défense Arena, Chinese Para swimmer Jiang Yuyan, nicknamed the “Flying Fish,” claimed her seventh gold medal of the Games in the women’s 100m backstroke S6 final, finishing ahead of reigning champion Ellie Marks of the USA. Jiang ended Paris 2024 as the most successful athlete of the Games.
At Roland Garros, Japan’s Tokito Oda became the youngest Paralympic champion in men’s singles at just 18 years old, defeating Great Britain’s Alfie Hewett in a thrilling three-set final. Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez made history as South America’s first Paralympic wheelchair tennis medallist, beating Spain’s Martín de la Puente for bronze.
Read the Day 10 medal highlights
Festival of fun brings unforgettable Games to a close
The Closing Ceremony on 8 September marked the end of a historic Games. But before the final celebration at Stade de France, athletes competed in the marathon, Para canoe, Para powerlifting, and women’s wheelchair basketball.
At Vaires-sur-Marne Stadium, Great Britain topped the Para canoe medals table with two golds and two silvers. Former Para swimmer Charlotte Henshaw won both the women’s va’a single 200m VL3 and successfully defended her title in the women’s kayak single 200m KL2.
In the final team event, the Netherlands came from behind to defeat the USA 63–49 in the women’s wheelchair basketball gold medal match.
Morocco celebrated a triple podium in the marathon, with Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi setting a world record of 2:48.36 in the women’s T12 event. Swiss stars Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner won the men’s and women’s T54 marathons, respectively.
The Closing Ceremony was a joyful celebration filled with DJ music, fireworks, and dancing—despite the pouring rain. The Games came to a close in a picture-perfect moment as French boccia star Aurélie Aubert blew out the Paralympic flame.
Read the Day 11 medal highlights
Discover more about the Closing Ceremony and what the athletes had to say