The Paris Paralympics, which was 'Festival every day', wrapped up the war on the 12th. South Korea's Team Exceeds Target

Sep 09, 2024

Choi Yong-beom (center), who was the opening flag bearer for the South Korean squad for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is also entering the closing ceremony in Saint-Denis-Stade-de-France, France, in the early morning of the 9th (Korean time). Paris = Photo Sharing Foundation

Disabled B-boys perform at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Saint-Denis-Stade-de-France, France, early on the 9th (Korean time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

The 12-day worldwide sports festival for the disabled ended with a spectacular closing ceremony. As if grieving for the separation from the world's Paralipians, the sky in Paris rained heavily throughout.

The closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics was held at the Stade de France Stadium in Paris, France, early on the 9th (Korea time). The Paris Paralympics, which opened on August 28, saw a total of 4,567 athletes from 169 athletes compete for a total of 549 gold medals in 22 sports for 12 days.

The South Korean team has made remarkable achievements. In the midst of shooting, table tennis, and Boccia's propaganda, he won six gold medals, 10 silver medals, and 14 bronze medals, exceeding his original goal (5 gold medals). Compared to the results of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics (2 gold, 10 silver, 12 bronze), it was a great improvement. This is the result of Chung Jin-wan, chairman of the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled, who took office in 2021, strategically focusing on expanding the base of sports for the disabled and investing in elite sports.

The closing ceremony of the Paris Paralympic Games, which left unforgettable memories for the Korean team, was held under the theme of "Paris EST UNE FETE". A festival was held for all spectators and athletes from each country.

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

French chanson singer Santa opened the closing ceremony with a spectacular celebration. After the Paralympic and Olympic official theme song 'Parade' rang out, French trumpet player Andre Paidi with disabilities played the French national anthem and raised the national flag. Unlike the opening ceremony in which they wore uniforms, the riders of the participating countries entered with comfortable clothes and a light look. In the Korean team, canoeing Choi Yong-beom (27, Dowon ENC) appeared as the flag bearer at the closing ceremony following the opening ceremony.

Jockey Choi Yong-beom enters the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Saint-Denis-Stade-de-France, France on the 9th (Korea time). Paris = Photo Sharing Foundation

An official speech followed the screening of the video footage of the Paralympics. Tony Estange, chairman of the organizing committee, said "Every time you played with all your heart, many people admired and joined you. You've changed the way people look at sports, at disability. "We started the Paralympic revolution and we're not going back in time. Our meeting will remain deeply in everyone's hearts."

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

Andrew Parsons, chairman of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), said "We launched a revolution of inclusion at the Paris Paralympics. Everyone saw the advantages in 'Different', and now it's time to change society"We all have a responsibility to make the world more inclusive. We must unite to make this world a better place for everyone," he stressed.

Won Yu-min, who was elected to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) athletes' committee, greets at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in Saint-Denis-Stade-France, France, early on the 9th (Korea time). Paris = Photo Sharing Foundation

Six newly elected IPC athletes were also introduced during this tournament. Yoo Won-min (36, wheelchair basketball), Korea's No. 1 naturalized Paralympian, will serve as a four-year player committee member along with Lenin Cunha (Portugal, track and field), Bradislava Kravchenko (Malta, swimming), Martina Kaironi (Italy, track and field), Tan Yuzao (China, weightlifting), and Dennis Schindler (Germany, cycling).

The Paralympic flag was transferred to Los Angeles (LA), the venue for the next tournament. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bath handed over the Paralympic flag, which went through the hands of Estange, Paris Mayor An Hidalgo, and Parsons, IPC Chairman. The next Paralympic Games will be held in LA in 2028.

French boccia athlete Aureli Aubert blows off the torch with her mouth at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Saint-Denis-Stade-France, France, early on the 9th (Korean time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

The Paralympic torch was entered by Frederic Villeru (visually disabled football) and Hugo Didier (swimming) in a small lantern. The torch, which passed through the hands of Charles Noakes (bedminton), Chloria Agblemagnon (land), and Mathieu Bosdong (cycle), was blown out by Aureli Auber (Boccia). The hot-air balloon torch, which lit up the night sky in the Tuileries Garden in downtown Paris during the competition, was then extinguished, marking the end of the Paris Paralympics.

Twenty-four famous French DJs appeared one after the other, making the closing ceremony like a club with an intense and exciting electric sound. Even the thick rain couldn't cool off the party.

wman@sportschosun.com