To mark 100 days to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Worldwide Paralympic Partner Bridgestone have launched a multi-part digital series featuring an armless Paralympic archer interviewing fellow Paralympians, all while driving a car with his feet!

“Paris 2024: What Really Matters” stars the USA’s three-time Paralympian archer and drag car racing enthusiast Matt Stutzman – a man born with no arms – driving round Iowa while chatting to leading US Paralympians and Team Bridgestone athlete ambassadors Chuck Aoki and Scout Bassett.

Using his feet to navigate his local neighbourhood, London 2012 Paralympic Games silver medallist Stutzman talks to both Aoki and Bassett individually about how they got into Paralympic sport and how Bridgestone is supporting their journey to the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Episode one, which launches on 28 May across IPC and Bridgestone digital channels, features USA wheelchair rugby co-captain and three-time Paralympian Aoki. It opens with Stutzman asking his sheepish looking passenger: “Is this your first-time riding in a car with a guy without arms?”

During the light-hearted episode, Aoki, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s best wheelchair rugby players, describes how he got into wheelchair rugby and how Bridgestone is using its tyre rubber and design expertise to develop personalised gloves that help improve his grip for Paris 2024.

Craig Spence, the IPC’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer, said: “Rather than creating traditional athlete profiles ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we have worked with Bridgestone to create something which is a lot of fun and very different to capture attention and change perceptions of Paralympians.

“'Paris 2024: What Really Matters' is a cross between The Late Late Show’s Carpool Karaoke and This is Your Life. Rather than James Corden driving, we have Armless Archer Matt behind the steering wheel finding out more about his passengers’ lives. The combination is a real winner and, in places, lots of fun!”

Caitlyn Ranson, Senior Manager of Partnership Marketing for Bridgestone Americas, said: “We are passionate about promoting diversity and creating more inclusive communities through sport and mobility, and this collaboration with the IPC blends these together in a dynamic way. What really matters is that we help empower people of all backgrounds and abilities to perform at their best. This series can show people new dimensions of these amazing athletes and challenge general perceptions about Paralympians in really fun ways.” 

Team Bridgestone’s Chuck Aoki, said: “I always try to speak openly about my experiences as a disabled person in hopes of being a role model or a helpful source of information for anyone looking for that -- young or old, with or without a disability. It was incredibly fun collaborating with Matt, Bridgestone, and the IPC for a fun new twist on the ‘road to Paris” that invites new audiences to join the journey with us.”

Matt Stutzman, a gold medallist at the 2022 Para archery World Championships, said: “I am all about changing perspectives and loved the opportunity to reverse roles and be the interviewer instead of the interviewee.” 

Episode two of "Paris 2024: What Really Matters" stars Rio 2016 Paralympian and two-time World Championship bronze medallist in track and field Scout Bassett. In the episode Bassett talks about how her foundation is increasing the number of women trying Para sport and the support Bridgestone is providing her through a special sole pad for her running blade. Stutzman and Bassett also go head-to-head in a 50m sprint. 

“I think there are common assumed limitations for people with disabilities, even some that we put on ourselves. But going for a ride with Matt and sharing our stories in a road trip conversation certainly offers a different perspective. It’s exciting and rewarding to help change perceptions and highlight the importance of inclusivity in sport and beyond,” said Team Bridgestone’s Bassett.

“Paris 2024: What Really Matters” will go live between now and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games across IPC and Bridgestone digital channels.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games take place between 28 August and 8 September.