The Paralympic Games have come to a close with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Stade de France. Organized by Paris 2024, the event featured a light show and dance party that celebrated the six weeks of competition that took place in both the Paralympics and Olympics in France. Over 4,400 athletes from 168 delegations enjoyed French electronic dance music despite the rain.
On the final day of competition, two world records were broken. Moroccan Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi set a new record in the women’s marathon for visually impaired runners, while Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo broke her own world record in women’s para powerlifting. China finished at the top of the medal table with 94 golds, followed by Great Britain and the United States.
Ukraine overcame challenges from the war with Russia to finish in seventh place, while France finished eighth. China has dominated the Paralympics since 2004, and the next games will take place in Los Angeles in 2028. Despite concerns about low ticket sales, the Paralympics had mostly full stadiums, benefiting from the success of the previous Olympics. Paris Paralympics organizers emphasized that “change starts with sport,” showcasing the power of athletic competition to unite and inspire people around the world.
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