Preparations for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are in full swing, with the Paralympic Village set to open its doors to participating athletes on Wednesday. The village, spanning an area equivalent to 70 football pitches, is meticulously designed to ensure comfort and accessibility for around 4,400 athletes from 160 nations and regions.
Laurent Michaud, Director of the Olympic and Paralympic Villages, emphasized the comprehensive readiness of the village. \"All the Paralympic village was actually already prepared,\" Michaud stated. \"We only had to make some changes in a few services regarding mobility, such as installing more micromobility services and devices, to enhance movement within the village for athletes using wheelchairs.\"
The Paralympic Village is not just a temporary residence but a lasting legacy for the community. Equipped with a large refectory featuring various food stations, a vast sports hall, training fields for numerous sports, a polyclinic, prayer rooms, and an anti-doping center, it offers a wide range of amenities to support the athletes' needs.
Ludivine Munos, Paralympic Integration Manager Paris 2024 and former Paralympic athlete, highlighted the village's accessibility features. \"Everything is taken care of in terms of accessibility. For example, if you are in the apartment, you can go directly outside without a ramp, even with a wheelchair. The dining halls are fully accessible with solutions to accommodate different needs,\" Munos explained.
In partnership with Ottobock, the village includes a dedicated repair center for prostheses, wheelchairs, and orthoses. This center is expected to handle approximately 2,000 repairs throughout the Games, averaging around 200 repairs each day.
The 2024 Paralympic Games will run from August 28 to September 8, featuring 549 events across 22 sports. As the Games approach, the Paralympic Village stands ready to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for athletes from around the globe.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
