Paris 2024: Mega fan vows to always 'show up' for Paralympic Games

Journalist and sports fan Kiratiana Freelon had a goal for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: to attend every Para sport, and she nearly made it. 

Freelon is from Chicago in the USA and currently lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, working as a journalist. "I write about Black people in Brazil," she explained. Freelon was focused on making the most of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, committing by renting a flat in Paris for two months, inviting friends to take in the sports, and documenting her experience on social media.

This is Freelon's third Paralympic Games, having worked at London 2012 and Rio 2016 as a journalist, she has also attended the Olympic Games in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2024.  

"Since I attended my first Paralympic Games in London 2012 I've vowed that when I attend the Olympics, I also go to the Paralympics. As a sports fan I need to show up for the Para sport."

'Paralympic Games is my favourite'

"It's my first time attending the Games just as a fan, I do think I enjoy the Paralympics better (than the Olympics), it’s just more fun with the high level sports mixed in," she told the IPC.

Freelon shared that she wanted to try to attend every sport, but missed out on travelling to get to Para rowing, Para canoe and shooting Para sport, as they were further away.

"I also missed Para triathlon and Para cycling road. I'm sure I could try to get to Para cycling now, but I'm just exhausted!"

Freelon found getting to as much Para sport as possible easier to do at the Paralympics than the Olympics.

"You can get closer to the sport moments (at the Paralympics). It's more affordable. It's shorter. You really can just buy some tickets and you’re guaranteed to see great competition and an athlete that everyone is talking about."

On the first day of the Games Freelon got a special surprise, as she had bought tickets for Para cycling.

"I didn’t know this is the first medal of the Games, and we ended up seeing Jackie Chan present a gold medal. It was amazing, we were running around trying to see Jackie Chan."

Special moment for Brazilian fan

One of the athletes that 'everyone was talking about' was Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo, who won his third gold medal in Para swimming.

"I bought this ticket sight unseen, I knew I wanted to see some swimming and I was pleasantly surprised when I found that Gabriel would be swimming," said Freelon.

"I had invited a friend who is Brazilian and she didn't know she'd be seeing Gabrielzinho! She got to experience that Paralympic moment that makes you cry."

Freelon believes that Brazil has a lot of interest in the Paralympic Games. "There’s some countries that win a lot more medals in the Paralympics than the Olympics," she said. That's the case for Brazil, they won three gold medals for the Olympics, and Paralympics they’re on track to win... maybe 20. Brazilians are watching so much Para sport."

Freelon will be taking in the Closing Ceremony on September 8 at Brazil House, ready to celebrate their final medal haul with them.

Full circle moment watching Matt Stutzman

A personal standout moment for Freelon occurred when she got to watch her compatriot the 'armless archer' Matt Stutzman for the second time.

"I wanted to watch Para archery at Invalides for the incredible venue. I couldn't believe I got to see Matt Stutzman. I saw him in 2016 and he didn’t make it out of the rounds.

"To see him was a full circle moment. Amazing to see him finally win medal he deserved," she said.

Taking in Paris with iconic venues

With Paris 2024 being the 'Games wide open' after covid measures locked down Tokyo 2020, it has been special for fans, friends and family to be able to take in the city as well as all the action.

Freelon explained, "This Games is a lot about the city, and the Games is integrated into the city itself.

"I went to blind football because I wanted to see the venue by the Eiffel Tower, and having been to beach volleyball (at the Olympic Games) it was amazing to see how they transformed the venue.

"I went to Para taekwondo to also experience the Grand Palais."

As well as the city itself, Freelon has enjoyed embracing the Paris 2024 mascot and the style of the Games.

"This is the first time I’ve embraced wearing an Olympic and Paralympic outfit. I thought 'if I'm going to do it, I’m going to go all in’. Wearing the Phyrge hat has made it more fun, people have embraced me as a fan and taken pictures with me."

She also played a role in introducing new people to Para sports, inviting friends to stay and attend the sports who had never been to a Games before.

"I had some friends visit who barely follow any sport, so I just said ‘hey this is what we’re doing'. I arranged a mega sport day where we saw Para taekwondo, Para cycling and wheelchair rugby. 

"They loved it," added, Freelon who is already looking ahead to LA 2028.