More than 10,000 fans join Paralympic Day celebrations in Paris

One year after the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, more than 10,000 people gathered in the French capital to celebrate Paralympic Day, meet French athletes, and discover more about Para sports.

The Paralympic Day celebrations, which took place at the Communale in Saint-Ouen, France, brought together many athletes and a large crowd, offering the opportunity to relive the emotions of the Games and share their experiences.

Meet the French stars

Seventy French Paralympic athletes from summer and winter sports met their fans. The visitors played blind football with the French team that won gold at Paris 2024, discovered boccia from Paralympic champion Aurelie Aubert, and met Para triathlon star Alexis Hanquinquant, who captured his second Paralympic gold last year.

There were signing sessions and speeches by Paralympic stars throughout the day. The public also got to know French winter athletes, who are aiming to take the spotlight at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, which open in less than six months.

People with disabilities also tried out different Para sports thanks to a number of French federations that were present at the event.

Marie-Amelie Le Fur, four-time Paralympian and president of NPC France, said: “Paralympic Day illustrates our commitment to making sport accessible to all, regardless of background or disability.

“With the mobilisation of sports stakeholders, we reaffirm that Para sport must be visible, inclusive and open.”

Music, dancing and celebration

The third edition of the Paralympic Day in Paris ended with a large parade that brought together “Allez les Bleus” supporters, volunteers and musicians, before 2,500 people came to celebrate the athletes. This highlight symbolically passed the torch from athletes who competed at Paris 2024 to those who will represent France at Milano Cortina 2026.

After the Communale was transformed into Club France, Paralympic athletes Arnaud Assoumani and Nelia Barbosa performed a DJ set, turning the event into a huge party. Renowned artists Paradoxe, Marie Jay and others also kept the dance floor alive.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games took place between 28 August and 8 September 2024, featured 4,400 Para athletes from around the world competing in 22 sports. More than 230 athletes represented the host country, winning a total of 75 medals – 19 gold, 28 silver and 28 bronze.

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