Paris Paralympics 2024 FAQs: Athletes, countries, fun facts, and more

After the Olympics, it’s the Paralympics. The Paralympics 2024 returned with a fresh crop of aspiring talents with a goal of representing their countries and taking medals home. Here are all your questions about the event, answered.

The Paralympics is a historic event that you should not look over. It was first hosted in 1960, and has become an international multi-sport paraSports event overseen by the International Paralympic Committee. The 2024 Summer Paralympics marks the first time Paris hosts the event, and the second time with France as the host after Tignes and Albertville joint-hosted in 1992. But that’s just the start to the rabbit hole you can jump into.

According to the most frequently asked questions we found around the Paris Paralympics 2024, we also have answers.

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All your questions about the Paralympics 2024 answered: Host, qualifications, prize money, and more

After Paris, who will host the Paralympics next?

The Paralympics is hosted every two years. After Paris in 2024, it will be held in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 2026, and Los Angeles, United States, in 2028.

How many countries participate in the Paralympics 2024?

There are a total of 169 nations participating in this year’s Paralympics, which includes teams from the Neutral Paralympic Athletes (approved Russian and Belarusian athletes after the nations were banned due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) and the Refugee Paralympic Team (independent refugee athletes).

How many athletes are in the Paralympics 2024?

A total of 4,463 athletes are comPeting in this year’s Paralympics. 54 of them are athletes representing Thailand.

How do you qualify for Paralympics 2024?

Qualified athletes who meet the International Paralympic Committee’s classification rules on impairment, and have an appropriate sport class and sport class status are eligible for entry in the sporting event. You can read the full qualifications on IPC’s website.

Which country won the most medals in the Paralympics?

Since the Paralympics first held in 1960, The USA has won the most with 385 medals.

Which athlete won the most medals in Paralympics history?

Italy’s table Tennis player Maria Scutti in Rome, 1960, where she won 11 medals, including nine gold medals.

How much money do you receive if you win a medal at the Paralympics 2024?

Monetary rewards vary by country. For Thai athletes, the prize money is as follows:

• Gold medal: THB 6 million in a lump sum, or THB 7.2 million in a four-year period.
• Silver medal: THB 4 million in a lump sum, or THB 4.8 million in a four-year period.
• Bronze medal: THB 2.5 million in a lump sum, or THB 3 million in a four-year period.

Why is it called the Paralympics?

The name derives from its Greek origins. “Para” translates to “alongside,” so the Paralympics is created to be an event existing alongside the Olympics, in parallel with each other.

How many sports are there in the Paralympics 2024?

22 sports, including both individual and team, which totals to 549 events. Cerebral Palsy Football and Sailing were two sports dropped this year due to lack of participation.

What is the age limit for the Paralympics?

There is actually no age limit for the Paralympics. However, most athletes are between 18-30 years of age.

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok