With the 2024 Paris Olympics having recently concluded, the sports world will now turn its eyes to the Paralympic Games.
The 2024 Paralympic Games will also take place in Paris and are set to kick off Aug. 28 with the opening ceremony. The Paralympics will feature 22 sports and Team USA’s 225 members, including five guides. The roster has already won a combined 122 gold medals over the years.
This year’s team includes Paralympic sprinter and previous medalist Hunter Woodhall, who announced on the social media platform Threads Aug. 15 that he tested positive for COVID-19.
“Won’t be an excuse, gonna kick this thing and I’ll be ready for the Paralympics,” he added.
Woodhall has been providing updates on Threads, documenting his first time running since the diagnosis. He said on Aug. 21 that “things are just coming together at the right time.”
Team USA also includes veterans such as 29-time Paralympic medalist Jessica Long (swimming), Tatyana McFadden (track and field) and Oksana Masters, who is the most decorated winter Paralympian of all time and who will compete in road cycling.
Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the United States Olympic & Paralympic committee, said in a press release announcing the roster on Aug. 19 that “their journey to the pinnacle of their careers is a testament to their unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence.”
“We’ve seen what Paris has to offer the athletes of the world as they compete, and the fans of sport who celebrate the very best in elite competition,” Hirshland added. “Now we eagerly anticipate the extraordinary moments and awe-inspiring Paralympic competition that lies ahead, and we can’t wait for Team USA to show the world what they can do.”
Here’s how to watch the Paralympians show off their skills.
When do the Paralympic Games start?
The Games open Aug. 28 with the opening ceremony at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The first day of competition is Aug. 29.
How can I watch the Paralympics opening ceremony?
More than 4,000 athletes on teams representing 184 delegations will partake in the Paralympics opening ceremony Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. ET.
The event will air live on USA Network and stream live on Peacock beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Highlights from the opening ceremony will air in primetime on NBC and Peacock Aug. 30 at 9 p.m. ET.
How can I watch the Paralympics events?
Coverage of the Games is airing on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and CNBC. (NBC, Peacock, USA Network and CNBC are part of TODAY.com’s parent company, NBCUniversal.)
Peacock will stream more than 1,500 hours of live coverage across all 22 Paralympic sports during the 12-day event, NBC Sports announced in May.
The “Gold Zone” program on Peacock will live-stream coverage Aug. 29 through Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, a recent press release said.
What does the Paralympics schedule look like?
The Paralympic events kick off Aug. 29 and conclude with several finals and the closing ceremony on Sept. 8.
Aug. 29 – Day 1 highlights
Para cycling track (9:45 a.m. ET): Various men’s and women’s races will take place in the late morning Eastern time. While ones earlier in the day are qualifying events, the later races are medal events, including men’s 4000m individual pursuit and women’s 3000m individual pursuit.
When taekwondo (11:00 a.m. ET): The first taekwondo finals for both men and women are held under the dome of the Grand Palais.
Para swimming (11:30 a.m. ET): A bunch of swim events are happening at Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre — all of which are medal events. Check out men’s and women’s 400m freestyle, men’s and women’s 100m butterfly, men’s and women’s 100m backstroke and more.
See a complete schedule for Aug. 29 here.
