The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games officially commenced yesterday with a grand opening ceremony at the iconic Place de la Concorde.
Starting at 21:00 Bulgarian time, the event will set the stage for an 11-day competition where over 4,400 athletes with disabilities from around the world will compete across 22 sports for a total of 549 medals.
This marks a significant moment as the Champs-Élysées, a historic venue that hosted skateboarding and 3×3 basketball during the Olympics, now welcomes Paralympic athletes for the first time.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons highlighted the symbolic importance of holding the ceremony at such a prominent location in Paris, representing the city’s embrace of these remarkable athletes.
The Paralympic Games will run until September 8, with thousands of spectators expected to witness the athletic excellence and resilience of the competitors.
Bulgaria’s Representatives at the Paralympics
Bulgaria will have three athletes representing the nation at the Games, all competing in track and field events.
Among them is Ruzhdi Ruzhdi, a Rio 2016 gold medalist, who will participate in the F55 class for athletes with full arm function but no leg function in field events. Ruzhdi is considered one of Bulgaria’s top Paralympic hopes, and his performance will be closely watched.
Joining him is Hristiyan Stoyanov, who won a silver medal in Tokyo. Stoyanov will compete in the 1500 meters in the T46 category, which is for athletes with an amputated arm. His remarkable stamina and determination make him another strong contender for a medal.
Stella Eneva, a two-time silver medalist from the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympics, will also be representing Bulgaria.
Eneva, who is returning to competition after a nine-year absence due to a doping ban, will compete in the F57 discus throw category for seated athletes with impaired limbs.
Her return to the field is seen as a redemptive moment in her career, and her performance will be a key highlight for Bulgarian fans. These three athletes are set to compete for medals on August 30 and 31, carrying Bulgaria’s hopes for adding to their Paralympic legacy.
Bulgaria’s Paralympic Legacy
Bulgaria’s history in the Paralympic Games began in Seoul in 1988, and since then, the country has accumulated a total of 17 medals: 5 gold, 9 silver, and 3 bronze. Most of these successes have come from athletics, a sport in which Bulgaria has consistently excelled.
The country’s only non-athletics medal came in swimming, when Polina Jurova won silver in the Atlanta 1996 Games. With three strong representatives in Paris, Bulgaria hopes to continue building on its Paralympic achievements.
Unique Paralympic Sports and Record Ticket Sales
The 2024 Paris Paralympics will feature 22 sports, two of which are unique to the Games: goalball and boccia.
In goalball, visually impaired players roll a bell-filled ball toward the opposing team’s goal, while boccia involves players throwing or rolling leather balls toward a target. These sports highlight the diversity and inclusivity of the Paralympic Games.
Additionally, the Paris Paralympics have added 10 new events since the Tokyo Games, with a focus on increasing opportunities for women and athletes with higher support needs.
The enthusiasm for these Games is evident, with approximately 2 million of the 2.5 million available tickets already sold, making this the second most attended Paralympic Games after London 2012.
The first day of competition will feature exciting medal events in Para Taekwondo, Para Table Tennis, Para Swimming, and Para Track Cycling, setting the tone for what promises to be an inspiring and action-packed 11 days of sport.