Almost a year away from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the capital is hosting the World Para Athletics Championships, from July 8 to 17. A life-size test before the Olympics.
After Villeneuve-d’Ascq in 2002 and Lyon in 2013, France is once again organizing the World Championships, at the Charléty stadium in Paris. This 2023 edition follows the 2019 Worlds in Dubai. Indeed, in 2021, the World Championships had been postponed due to the health situation.
” It is the second largest para-sport event in the world after the Games, says Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games (JOP). For Paris, these Worlds also open an international sequence which will close with the JOP, next summer. In fact, after this major event, in the 13ᵉ arrondissement, the capital will continue with the Open Water Swimming World Cup, then a stage of the Archery World Cup, or even, as part of the Rugby World Cup, that of wheelchair rugby, from October 16 to 21, at the Halle Carpentier.
Above all, these World Para Athletics Championships will allow the public to familiarize themselves with disabled sport before the big deadline of the 2024 Paralympic Games. The competition sessions, in the morning and in the evening, are ticketed. This World Championship is already shaping up to be a success since around 100,000 tickets have been sold. Paris receives 107 countries and nearly 1,300 athletes from twelve disciplines. In ten days of competition, 171 world titles will be distributed. It will be possible to qualify for Paris 2024.
Inspire people and children in particular
“ I hope the media will be there to convey a positive image of disability. Even with a disability, you can play sports. I always say, nothing is impossible in life “says Raoua Tlili, shot put and discus specialist. The Tunisian says she wants to do her best to ” represent the Arab woman “. In the process, she adds: I want to change mentalities on disability in the Arab world. »
The Frenchman Arnaud Assoumani, who practices the long jump, wants to focus on changing looks with performance. “ It’s very exciting to be here, to show what we are doing to create vocations. It is necessary to inspire people and children in particular he says.
Nantenin Keita, which has one of the most impressive track records in French para-athletics with its four Paralympic medals and five at the World Championships in Athletics, will also be present at Charléty. France presents a team of 28 athletes.
International para-athletics stars have made the trip, such as Dutch flag bearer at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, world record holder Fleur Jong. In Japan, she made a mark at 6.16m in the long jump. In Paris, she will also compete in the 100m.
Britain’s Hannah Cockroft will also be one of the attractions of these World Championships. She has an exceptional track record in wheelchairs with 7 Paralympic gold medals and 12 World Championship gold medals.