Unleashing Abilities: The Paris Paralympics Await!

Paris will soon be awash with a different kind of sporting spectacle as the Paris Paralympics begin on August 28th. Following hot on the heels of the Olympic Games, these are the games that showcase the incredible abilities of those with disabilities and impairments. For 12 days until September 8th, the world's top disabled athletes from over 130 countries will compete in 539 medal events across 22 sports at venues all around the French capital. The Paralympics will be a chance to watch awe-inspiring displays of skill and determination.The most popular sports are likely to be athletics, swimming, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball. But there will also be competitions in less well known disciplines like goalball (a team sport for the visually impaired), boccia (a precision ball sport) and para judo. Away from the field of play, organisers are promising a packed programme of cultural events to celebrate diversity and inclusion. The official Paralympics slogan is "Imagine the Impossible". Judging by the incredible feats these elite sportspeople routinely achieve, the message seems entirely appropriate.