Noah Rosenstein
Updated on: October 9, 2024 12:50 pm GMT
The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics have sparked significant discourse regarding their impact on the city and its residents. The initial wave of the Olympics brought a surge of tourists and a palpable sense of joy among attendees, but as the anticipated Paralympics approached, questions arose about the local engagement and support for the event. Despite high ticket sales – with more than 1.75 million booked before the Paralympics began – concerns lingered over the enthusiasm levels compared to the previous Olympic Games.
Valerie Pecresse, the president of the Ile-de-France region, expressed a commitment to ensuring the Paralympics would be a successful extension of the Olympic experience. Local sentiment was mixed, with some residents excited about witnessing the athleticism and stories of Paralympic competitors, while others felt the buzz was diminished post-Olympics.
As the Paralympics unfolded, attendance reflected a drop from Olympic levels. While exciting events drew crowds, particularly those showcasing popular French teams, there were noticeable gaps in enthusiasm and engagement from both locals and international visitors. Some pointed to the timing of the Games and local return to school and work as factors dampening interest.
Conversations also revolved around societal perceptions of disability, with many hoping the Paralympics would catalyze change in how people with disabilities are viewed and treated in society. The accessibility of public transport in Paris was brought to the forefront, highlighting the inadequacies in infrastructure that affect people with disabilities on a daily basis. Mike Olaye from mobility assistance services voiced frustrations with the challenges faced in navigating the city, emphasizing the irony of celebrating the Paralympics while the infrastructure remained largely unadapted for disabled individuals.
People are excited about what the future holds for the Paralympics. They hope that the Games will help everyone understand the importance of accessibility and make things easier for people in Paris. As conversations about the lasting impact of the Paralympics go on, we will see if the energy and attention from the Games can really lead to real changes in how society views and supports people with disabilities.
