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The Paris Paralympics, set to commence on Wednesday, will witness a spectacular opening ceremony in the heart of Paris, following the city's successful hosting of the Olympics. A new generation of Paralympians will join seasoned veterans in competing at many of the same venues that hosted Olympic events.Eighteen of the 35 Olympic venues will be utilized for the Paralympics, including the Grand Palais, which received high praise for hosting fencing and taekwondo under its ornate roof. The La Defense Arena will once again host the 141 gold-medal events in para-swimming, while the Stade de France will be the stage for track and field competitions.The Games will commence with a ceremony in Place de la Concorde, the central square of Paris where skateboarding and other urban sports were featured during the Olympics. This marks the first time a Paralympics opening ceremony will take place outside the main stadium.The Paralympic flame was ignited at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, the birthplace of the Games, and transported to France via the Channel Tunnel. Theatre director Thomas Jolly, who also oversaw the Olympics opening ceremony, emphasized the symbolism of holding the Paralympics ceremony in the heart of Paris, a city whose Metro system remains largely inaccessible to wheelchair users."Placing Paralympic athletes in the heart of the city is a political statement, as the city is not sufficiently adapted to every handicapped person," Jolly said.Organizers have addressed accessibility concerns by ensuring that Paris buses are wheelchair-friendly and providing 1,000 specially adapted taxis. Ticket sales, which were initially sluggish, have picked up since the Olympics, with over 1.9 million tickets sold to date.Every Paralympics introduces new stars, and this edition will be no exception. American above-the-knee amputee sprinter/high jumper Ezra Frech, at just 19 years old, has already garnered significant attention for his journey to Paris. Familiar faces will also return, such as British amputee sprinter Jonnie Peacock, who made a comeback last year in his bid to win a medal at his fourth consecutive Paralympics.Beyond the track, Iranian sitting volleyball legend Morteza Mehrzad, standing at an impressive 8ft 1in (2.46m) tall, will aim to defend his gold medal. The Paralympics, however, extend beyond sports, serving as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons expressed his hope that the Paris edition will bring the issues facing disabled people back to the forefront of global priorities. He believes the Games "will have a big impact in how people with disability are perceived around the world.""This is one of the key expectations we have around Paris 2024; we believe that we need people with disability to be put back on the global agenda," Parsons said.Paralympic powerhouse China is expected to send a strong squad, having dominated the medals table at the Tokyo Games with 96 golds. Britain, with 41 golds, will be aiming to improve its performance. Host nation France, riding the wave of its Olympic team's success, will be targeting a significant increase from the 11 golds it won in 2021.Ukraine, traditionally a top medal-winning nation at the Paralympics, will send a team of 140 athletes despite the challenges they face in preparing amidst the ongoing war. Athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete under a neutral banner but are barred from the opening and closing ceremonies.

Haider Ali, Pakistan's sole para-athlete bound for the Paris Paralympics, embarked on his journey to the French capital on Monday, accompanied by his coach Akbar Ali. The Games, scheduled to commence on August 28 with an opening ceremony, will follow the successful conclusion of the Olympics earlier this month.Hailing from Gujranwala, Haider will represent Pakistan in the F37 category of the discus throw event on September 6. This will mark his fifth appearance at the quadrennial event, where he has consistently showcased his exceptional abilities. In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Haider clinched a gold medal in the discus throw with an impressive throw of 55.26 meters.Prior to his triumph in Tokyo, Haider had secured a silver medal in the long jump at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and a bronze in the same event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Unfortunately, an injury prevented him from competing in the 2012 London Paralympics.Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General Yasir Pirzada expressed confidence in Haider's abilities, stating, "We are honored to send Haider Ali to the Paralympics once again. His exceptional talent and dedication make him a top contender for another medal, and we are confident that he will make Pakistan proud again."The Paris Paralympics will witness the participation of over 4,000 athletes from 170 countries, showcasing the remarkable abilities of athletes with various physical disabilities. In the recently concluded Paris Olympics, Pakistan's javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem made history by clinching a gold medal with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m, opening Pakistan's medal tally.Haider Ali's journey to the Paralympics is a testament to his unwavering determination and the indomitable spirit of Pakistani athletes. His achievements have not only brought glory to Pakistan but have also inspired countless individuals with disabilities to pursue their dreams.

Tokyo Paralympics silver medalist Bhavina Patel is determined to upgrade her medal to gold at the upcoming Paris Paralympics, which commence on August 28. Patel, who became the first Indian paddler to win a medal in the Class 4 event at Tokyo, expressed her confidence in challenging the dominance of Chinese opponents."Chinese players are humans, and so are we," Patel asserted. "China does not matter to me. I have beaten a Chinese player before, so there's no pressure on me to face them. I have changed my tactics accordingly and will deploy my best plans against them."Patel, a Commonwealth Games champion and Asian Games medalist, emphasized her focus on giving her best. "There is no nervousness. I just have to give my best. When we think about giving our best, nothing else comes to mind," she said.Her doubles partner, Sonalben Patel, echoed her sentiments, stating, "Bhavina and I have put in a double amount of effort in our training as partners. We will try our utmost to return home with a medal."Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist in men's singles badminton SH6 event, Krishna Nagar, expressed his aim to replicate his performance. "I hope everything will be fine in Paris, and I will try to win gold for India again. I will give it my all to defend my gold from Tokyo. Preparations went well, I feel positive, and will look to play safe," he said.Debutant shot putter Sachin Khilari set high expectations for himself. "There is a lot of excitement in me. I have been preparing for the Paralympics for 1.5 years. I performed well at the World Championship, and I expect a gold medal out of myself because I have worked hard to earn it," he said.Discus throw athlete Sakshi Kasana, also making her debut, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity. "I have worked tirelessly hard for this moment to come true. Representing your nation at the Paralympics is the biggest thing for any athlete, so I hope my four years of hard work pays off."PCI President and legendary para javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia predicted a strong performance from India. "I have 20 years of experience in para sports. I have taken 3 medals. I know each player and their performances individually. We have received support from PM Modi, and 50 players from the TOPS scheme are going," he said."Many players got help under CSR activity. We will be winning more than 25 medals. India will be in the top 20 in the medal tally." Jhajharia also expressed confidence in Sumit Antil defending his gold medal. "Sumit will definitely defend his gold medal. He is fit, not under any kind of injury, and has a high level of confidence in himself. The national anthem will definitely be played, and Sumit will win gold," Jhajharia said.India has sent an 84-member team, the largest ever for Paralympics, to Paris, where the Games will be held from August 28 to September 8.

The Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, will comprise 84 athletes and 95 officials, totaling 179 members. This marks a significant increase from the 54-member contingent that represented India at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.The large number of officials accompanying the athletes is attributed to the special needs of para athletes. Many participants will have personal coaches and escorts to assist them with their specific requirements. The contingent includes 77 team officials, nine contingent medical officials, and nine contingent officials.India is sending its largest-ever contingent to the Paralympics, with athletes competing in 12 sports. The para-athletics team is the largest, with 38 competitors, followed by the para-badminton team with 14 members. Other sports represented include para-swimming, para-shooting, para-powerlifting, para-table tennis, para-archery, para-canoeing, para-cycling, para-equestrian, para-rowing, and para-taekwondo.Notable athletes in the contingent include javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shooter Avani Lekhara, both of whom won gold medals at the Tokyo Paralympics. They will be accompanied by personal coaches to support their efforts to defend their titles.The participation of the entire contingent, except for the Chef de Mission and one team manager for para badminton, will be funded by the government. All members will receive a daily out-of-pocket allowance of USD 50 during the Games, including acclimatization and training periods.Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia, who is leading the contingent, will stay outside the Games Village to provide support to athletes competing outside Paris. He has expressed optimism that India will surpass its medal tally of 19 from the Tokyo Paralympics, aiming for over 25 medals, including double-digit gold.

Indian shooting contingent is poised to surpass its Tokyo Paralympics medal tally at the upcoming Paris Games, according to pistol marksman Manish Narwal. The team's intense training regimen has prepared them for success, he said.A 10-member shooting contingent, including rifle exponent Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal, and Narwal, will compete at the Chateauroux Centre near Paris from August 30. India had won two gold, a silver, and two bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics."Our preparations have been intense, and we are eager to give our best shot in Paris. We aim to surpass our previous performance and bring more medals home," said Narwal, who won the 50m pistol (SH1) gold in Tokyo and will be competing in 10m air pistol at the Paris Games.Besides Narwal, Avani, and Mona, the other members of the shooting contingent are Amir Ahmad Bhat, Rudransh Khandelwal, Rubina Francis, Swaroop Unahalkar, Sidhartha Babu, Shriharsha Devaraddi, and Nihal Singh.The spotlight will be on reigning Paralympic champion Avani, who made history by becoming the first woman shooter from India to win two medals in Tokyo. The Jaipur shooter, then 19, had clinched gold in 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3-positions (SH1). She will look to replicate her gold medal-winning performances in Paris.The Paralympic Committee is expecting a record-breaking 25-plus medals in Paris, and the performance of the shooting team will have a great impact on the overall tally.

The Paralympic Games, a testament to the indomitable spirit of athletes with disabilities, will commence in Paris on August 28th, following the resounding success of the Olympic Games. The French capital will once again serve as a stage for extraordinary athleticism, with 18 of the 35 Olympic venues repurposed for the Paralympics.Among the iconic venues returning for the Paralympics is the Grand Palais, which garnered acclaim for hosting fencing and taekwondo during the Olympics. The La Defense Arena will witness the thrilling spectacle of 141 gold-medal events in para-swimming, while the Stade de France will host track and field competitions.The opening ceremony will take place at Place de la Concorde, marking a departure from the traditional stadium setting. This symbolic location, which hosted skateboarding and other urban sports during the Olympics, underscores the Paralympics' commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.Ticket sales, initially sluggish, have surged since the Olympics, with several venues reporting sellouts. The Games promise to unveil a new generation of Paralympic stars, including American sprinter and high jumper Ezra Frech, whose remarkable journey has garnered widespread attention.Seasoned veterans will also grace the Paralympic stage, such as British amputee sprinter Jonnie Peacock, who seeks to add to his medal tally at his fourth consecutive Paralympics. The Paralympics, however, extend beyond athletic competition, serving as a platform to amplify the voices of people with disabilities.International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons emphasizes the Games' potential to elevate disability issues on the global agenda. He believes that Paris 2024 will challenge perceptions and foster a more inclusive society.China, a Paralympic powerhouse, will field a formidable squad, aiming to replicate its dominance in Tokyo, where it claimed 96 gold medals. Host nation France, buoyed by the success of its Olympic team, will strive to surpass its 11 gold medals from 2021.Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the country will send a delegation of 140 athletes across 17 sports, demonstrating their resilience and determination. Athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete under a neutral banner, without team colors or participation in ceremonies.The Paralympic Games in Paris promise to be a celebration of human spirit, showcasing the extraordinary abilities of athletes with disabilities. They will inspire, challenge perceptions, and leave a lasting legacy of inclusivity and empowerment.

The Indian Paralympic contingent, led by star javelin thrower Sumit Antil, has embarked on its journey to the Paris Paralympics with the aim of securing an unprecedented five gold medals and a total of 12 medals. The first batch of 16 para athletes will acclimatize to the conditions in Paris before entering the Games Village on August 25.Antil, who is aiming to become the first Indian to defend his Paralympics gold, will train at facilities near the French capital to adjust to the weather conditions. Para athletics events will be held at Stade de France, the same venue where the able-bodied athletes competed during the Paris Olympics.Para-athletics head coach Satyanarayana expressed confidence in the team's medal prospects, stating, "We are aiming for at least five gold and 12 medals in total. This will be our best performance in the Paralympics." India's hopes are buoyed by their success at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, where they finished sixth in the medal tally with six gold, five silver, and six bronze medals.In addition to Antil, other medal contenders include Deepthi Jeevanji (women's 400m T20), Sachin Khilari (men's shot put F46), Ekta Bhyan (women's club throw F51), Simran Sharma (women's 200m T12), and Mariyappan Thangavelu (men's high jump T42).India is sending its largest ever team of 84 athletes across 12 sports to the Paralympics, with 38 from the para-athletics team. Paralympic Committee of India President Devendra Jhajharia has predicted at least 25 medals from the Paris Games.Antil and Bhagyashree Jadhav, who won a silver in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in women's shot put F34, will be the joint flag bearers for India during the Opening Ceremony, which will be held outside a stadium for the first time. The ceremony will take place from Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris.

Paralympic Committee of India Appoints Satya Prakash Sangwan as Chef de Mission for Paris ParalympicsThe Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has appointed Satya Prakash Sangwan as the chef de mission of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics. Sangwan, who is the PCI's vice president, brings with him over a decade of experience in the Paralympic movement.As the chef de mission, Sangwan will be responsible for leading India's largest-ever contingent of 84 para-athletes, who will compete across 12 sports disciplines at the Paris Paralympics. This will be the first time that India will send such a large contingent to the Paralympics.Sangwan expressed his honor at being entrusted with this responsibility and pledged to ensure that the athletes have everything they need to succeed and make India proud at the Paralympics."It is a great honor to be entrusted with this responsibility. I am committed to ensuring that our athletes have everything they need to succeed and make India proud at the Paralympics," Sangwan said.PCI President Devendra Jhajharia praised Sangwan's dedication and leadership, expressing confidence that the team will achieve great success at the Paris Paralympics under his guidance."Mr. Satya Prakash Sangwan has been an integral part of the Paralympic Committee of India for over a decade. His dedication and leadership have always been an inspiration to our athletes," Jhajharia said. "We are confident that under his guidance as Chef de Mission, our team will achieve great success at the Paris Paralympics 2024."Sangwan's appointment as chef de mission is a testament to his commitment to the Paralympic movement and his dedication to ensuring that Indian para-athletes have the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent interaction with the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics has ignited a surge of excitement and anticipation. India is poised to field its largest-ever contingent at the Paralympics, with 84 athletes set to compete in 12 sports. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the unwavering determination and exceptional talent of India's para-athletes.The Paris Paralympics, commencing on August 28th, will showcase the extraordinary abilities of these athletes. India's contingent will participate in archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo. The inclusion of para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo marks a significant expansion of India's participation in the Paralympics.Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, expressed his confidence in the athletes' abilities. He emphasized that the Indian para-athletes have consistently demonstrated that any obstacle can be overcome with willpower and dedication. Mandaviya highlighted the nation's unwavering support for the contingent and expressed optimism that they will bring glory to the country.At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, India achieved its most successful performance, winning 19 medals. This included five gold, eight silver, and six bronze medals. The Indian contingent's performance at the 2022 Asian Para Games was equally impressive, with the athletes securing 111 medals. These achievements serve as a testament to the remarkable progress made by India's para-athletes.The Paris Paralympics will provide a platform for these athletes to showcase their exceptional skills and inspire the nation. The Indian contingent's participation in the Games is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of human potential.