The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris delivered exceptional performances, with athletes pushing the limits of human endurance, resilience, and spirit.
Paralympics coverage booms and betting interest grows
The Paralympic Games, which have been a part of the summer sports calendar since the 1960 Rome Games, are now attracting larger audiences than ever before.
For example, Channel 4, a British broadcaster, reported that the Paris Paralympics have garnered over 17.4 million viewers in the UK, with streaming views soaring by 97% compared to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Pete Andrews, Channel 4’s Head of Sport, expressed enthusiasm over the reception: “We are thrilled to see the Paralympics capturing the public’s imagination and especially resonating with younger audiences. It’s fantastic to witness such a broad and engaged viewership across all platforms.”
Betting on the Paralympics has evolved alongside its growing media presence. Traditionally, betting volume has been lower compared to the Olympics, but recent years have seen increased engagement. With the Games now more prominently featured, the betting landscape is expanding. The London 2012 Paralympics was a turning point, with betting interest further intensifying during the Rio 2016 Games.
Among the 22 sports featured at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the most popular for betting include blind football, swimming, wheelchair basketball and rugby, and cycling.
The 2024 Paralympic Games also featured three unique sports that were available for betting: boccia, goalball, and bench press. Boccia, similar to boules, is played by athletes in wheelchairs. Goalball features teams of three visually impaired players who aim to throw a bell-filled ball underhand into the opposing team’s goal.
10 most remarkable moments
Zakia Khudadadi (pictured above), an Afghan refugee and taekwondo athlete, made history by winning a bronze medal—the first ever for the Paralympic Refugee Team. Overwhelmed with emotion, Khudadadi dedicated her win to the women of Afghanistan and refugees around the world, calling for peace and hope.
Ali Truwit, an American swimmer who lost part of her leg to a shark attack while snorkeling in 2023, made an impressive return to the water. After three surgeries and an incredible recovery journey, the American swimmer claimed two silver medals and broke two national records in just 48 hours. “I love comeback stories,” she said, reflecting on her experience.
Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi of Morocco broke the women’s marathon world record for visually impaired athletes on the final day of the Games. She completed the race in 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 36 seconds, breaking the previous record by almost six minutes.
Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi – SiGMA News.
In front of the Eiffel Tower, France’s men’s blind football team defeated Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout. Their 3-2 victory not only avenged France’s 2022 World Cup loss but also marked the first time a team other than Brazil won the Paralympic football tournament.
Rayane Soares da Silva of Brazil set a new world record in the T13 400m sprint, finishing in 53.55 seconds. Her victory broke the previous record, which had stood since 1995. Soares expressed her confidence after the race, stating that her training had prepared her for this milestone achievement.
French swimmers Alex and Kylian Portal brought home silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the 400m freestyle para-swimming event. The brothers, aged 22 and 17, shared the podium. Alex continued his successful run by earning additional medals, making him one of the standout athletes of the Games.
Belarusian swimmer Ihar Boki secured his 20th Paralympic gold medal, equaling the legendary Béatrice Hess. Despite his achievement, Boki, competing under the Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) banner, faced a tense podium moment when Ukrainian competitors refused to stand alongside him in protest of Belarus’s political ties to Russia. Nonetheless, Boki’s four gold medals at the Paris Games solidified his place as one of the greatest Paralympians of all time.
Markus Rehm of Germany continued to dominate the para-athletics scene, winning his fourth consecutive Paralympic gold in the long jump. Known as the “Blade Jumper” for his prosthetic limb, Rehm’s leap of 8.72 meters left no room for competitors. His status as the world’s best in his event remains unchallenged.
Markus Rehm – SiGMA News.
French boccia player Aurélie Aubert made history by becoming the first French athlete to win a gold medal in boccia, a sport exclusively featured in the Paralympics. She competed in the BC1 category for athletes with cerebral palsy and marked her victory by extinguishing the Paralympic flame during the closing ceremony.
At 61, Tomoya Ito became Japan’s oldest Paralympic medalist, securing bronze in the T52 men’s 400-meter wheelchair race. After a tough setback at the Tokyo Games due to a last-minute classification change, Ito reflected, “These past three years have not been in vain. I never gave up, and that’s why I’m able to return like this.” Battling progressive multiple sclerosis, Ito began para-athletics after accidentally ordering a racing wheelchair and deciding to give it a try.
Tomoya Ito – SiGMA News.
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