- The President of IPC, Parsons, commended the Paris Agreement.
The post-Olympic renovations for the Paralympics in regards to sports facilities haven't posed significant issues for organizers. As per Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, "If someone were to ask me if the city is prepared, I'd say yes." He explained, "Just compare Paris seven years ago to where the city stands now in terms of inclusivity, and that's largely due to the Paralympics happening here."
Edouard Donnelly from the organizing committee mentioned in an interview with "Ouest-France" that the necessary adjustments to venues and arenas for disabled individuals have been made with ample time. However, he added, "We had to pay attention to certain aspects. For instance, we kept the sand in the stadium adjacent to the Eiffel Tower, where blind football will now be played, and placed the playing surface on top of it."
The organizers also benefited from not needing to renovate the Grand Palais again, which served for fencing and later, taekwondo during the Olympic Games. At the Paralympics, taekwondo competitions will take place first, followed by the para-fencing piste setup. Notably, a new feature for the Paralympics is the Para-cycling road course in Clichy-sous-Bois. A total of 4,400 athletes will be housed in the Olympic Village.
Paris has taken significant strides for inclusivity and accessibility
Parsons commended the French government's initiatives before the opening ceremony on Wednesday. "We can already sense the impact," he said. "Already, 1.5 billion euros have been invested nationwide in projects related to inclusivity and accessibility. Paris itself has invested 125 million euros in these areas."
There's also a focus on the transport system. 1,000 taxis have been adapted for disabled individuals before the Paralympics, and more than 200 buses have been modified, each capable of accommodating six wheelchairs.
The Olympic Games served as a catalyst for Paris's inclusivity efforts, leading to numerous facility improvements. During the Paralympics, taekwondo competitions will be held in the Grand Palais, which was previously utilized for fencing during the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games, which Paris hosted, inspired significant renovations to sporting venues, ensuring they are accessible for the upcoming Paralympic Games.
