Just like the Olympic Games for people without disabilities, the Paralympic Games are the largest sporting event for people with disabilities. The enthusiasm for the event in Paris is clearly noticeable, as all of the sports venues in the 22 sports are well attended – not always as well as at the Olympic Games, but interest in the sporting highlights at the Games for people with disabilities is growing and that is a good thing.
The Stade de France for the athletics competitions or the Défense Arena are almost always largely full, but there is certainly room for more. That is what the athletes want too. Paris is also a milestone for the Paralympics, because the games have never been as big as this time. The revolution on the way to equality and fraternity for all athletes may have its origins in Paris. At some point, two events will become one mammoth sporting event, for people with and without disabilities.
Christophe Ramjoie
