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Following the conclusion of the Olympic Games in Paris, attention turns to the 16th edition of the Paralympic Games, with more than 4,000 athletes representing more than 150 nations across 22 sports.
It is the first time France has hosted a summer Paralympics, having staged the 1992 Winter Games in Tignes and Albertville.
Many of Olympic venues – including Roland Garros, the Château de Versailles gardens and the Stade de France – are once again hosting events. This is all you need to know about this summer’s Paralympics.
When do the Paralympics start: Date and time
The opening ceremony of this summer’s Paralympics took place on Wednesday, August 28. The first day of competition is Thursday, August 29. The final day of competition as well as the closing ceremony is Sunday, September 8. Start times each day will be similar to the Olympics with early starts and events throughout the day.
Paralympics tickets: Prices and how to get them
There are still tickets available via the official website. Prices include day-long Discovery Passes for €24 (£20.50), allowing you to watch several sessions in a day (access to the eligible sessions of the day). Another offer is the chance to buy two children’s tickets for just €10 for every two adult tickets purchased. As always, more expensive seats are available in the hospitality sections.
Paralympics opening and closing ceremonies
We saw a more traditional Opening Ceremony than the Olympic Games, with the Eiffel Tower lit as a backdrop crowned by a glorious sunset.
The 17th Summer Paralympic Games began with a parade of 168 delegations along the Champs-Elysées, ending in La Place de la Concorde.
It was simple, powerful and classical, witnessed by 65,000 seated in the largest and most historic square in the capital of France.
The Closing Ceremony is on Sunday, September 8 at 8pm BST.
How can I watch the Paralympics?
Channel 4 has exclusive live television coverage in the UK with more than 1,300 hours of coverage scheduled. You can also watch via its online streaming service or on Channel 4’s YouTube channel. The BBC will have an evening highlights show dedicated to the Paralympics most evenings.
Which sports are in the Paralympics?
There are 22 sports at the Paralympics with a total of 549 gold medals up for grabs. Last time out in Tokyo, ParalympicsGB finished second in the medal table behind China. The full list of sports is as follows:
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Blind football
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Boccia
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Goalball
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Para-archery
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Para-athletics
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Para-badminton
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Para-canoe
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Para-cycling
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Para-equestrian
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Para-judo
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Para-powerlifting
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Para-rowing
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Para-swimming
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Para-table tennis
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Para-taekwondo
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Para-triathlon
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Shooting Para-sport
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Sitting volleyball
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Wheelchair basketball
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Wheelchair fencing
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Wheelchair rugby
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Wheelchair tennis
Who are the ParalympicsGB stars to look out for?
ParalympicsGB has taken around 220 Paralympians to Paris, with blind football, goalball and sitting volleyball the only sports out of the 22 to have no British involvement. Athletes to watch include Hollie Arnold in the para athletics; Matt Bush in taekwondo; Rachel Choong in badminton; Hannah Cockroft in the para athletics; Funmi Oduwaiye in the para athletics; David Smith in boccia; Claire Taggart in boccia; Iona Winnifrith in swimming and Thomas Young in the para athletics.
You can also read our guide to the 25 British athletes to watch in Paris.
