A Historic Event for France
With the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the focus now shifts to the upcoming Summer Paralympic Games, scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024. This prestigious event will see around 4,400 athletes competing across 22 sports. According to the official Paris 2024 Paralympic website, the opening ceremony will be held at Place de la Concorde, featuring athletes from all over the world.
The Games will feature 549 disciplines across 23 sports, showcasing that limitations are no barrier to competing at this level. For the selected athletes, participating in the world's largest summer sports event is a matter of pride. This Paralympic Games will also mark a historic milestone for France as it hosts its first-ever Paralympic Games.
The 23 sports featured in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games include Blind Football, Boccia, Goalball, Para Archery, Para Athletics, Para-Badminton, Para Canoe, Para-Cycling Road, Para-Cycling Track, Para-Equestrian, Para Judo, Para Powerlifting, Para-Rowing, Para Swimming, Para Table Tennis, Para-Taekwondo, Para Triathlon, Shooting Para Sport, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby, and Wheelchair Tennis.
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Southeast Asia’s Strong Presence
Among the 4,400 athletes set to compete, Southeast Asia will have a strong representation, with nine countries participating: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste. Unfortunately, Brunei and Myanmar will not send athletes to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Thailand leads Southeast Asia with 59 athletes, followed by Indonesia with 35 athletes, and Malaysia with 16 athletes. Regrettably, there is still no confirmed information regarding the participation of athletes from Brunei and Myanmar. With a total of 136 athletes from Southeast Asia, these nations are expected to showcase their strength and determination on the global stage.
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Southeast Asia’s Paralympic Legacy, Medal Hopes, and Historical Achievements
For Southeast Asian countries, the Paralympic Games are not unfamiliar territory. Thailand has been participating since 1984, accumulating a total of 87 medals to date. Indonesia, which has been competing since 1976, except for a brief absence in 1992, has brought home 27 medals across all the Paralympic Games it has participated in.\
Malaysia has earned a total of 16 medals since first competing in the Paralympic Games in 1972. Singapore has secured 11 medals, with most of its success coming in Para Swimming. The Philippines has contributed two bronze medals in Para Powerlifting and Para-Table Tennis.
Vietnamese athletes have claimed five medals across three sports: Para Powerlifting, Para Swimming, and Para Athletics. Laos also made its mark by winning a medal in Para Powerlifting at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Although Myanmar will not be sending athletes to Paris 2024, the country has previously earned a total of seven medals in Para Athletics.
Meanwhile, Cambodia, Brunei, and Timor-Leste have yet to win a medal at the Paralympics. For Brunei, if it indeed does not send athletes to Paris 2024, there is hope that it will participate in the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, with aspirations of securing a medal for the nation.
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