Paris 2024: Best wheelchair basketball moments

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were packed with memorable moments, including athletic feats and historic firsts, that took place at stunning venues in front of a vocal crowd.  

We will share three moments from each sport that made the Games very special.

Top moment

Netherlands became back-to-back Paralympic women's wheelchair basketball champions with a 63-49 win over the United States in the final, becoming the first women's team to win two consecutive titles since the Americans at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. 

Despite trailing after the first quarter at Bercy Arena, the Dutch team stormed back to defend their title and prevent the USA from returning to the top of the podium. 

"Very heavy on the neck, but it's a good weight," Mariska Beijer said of the gold medal.

"We had a lot of pressure on our team. We were nervous at the beginning, but we played through and we did it: two full cycles, and we win every single title. Now, I can truly say that we are legendary."

The Dutch team went undefeated at Paris 2024, winning all three preliminary round games against the USA, Germany and Japan before defeating Spain 61-43 in the quarterfinals and beating Canada 72-61 in the semifinals. 

"At this point, I have no words. This was our goal. This is what we came here to do," said Jitske Visser. "To be able to put this beautiful medal around our necks is amazing. I'm so proud of the team."

Biggest surprise 

The last time Germany made the Paralympic wheelchair basketball podium was 32 years ago, at Barcelona 1992. 

At Paris 2024, Germany's men's wheelchair basketball team beat a veteran Canadian team in the bronze medal match 75-62 thanks to a fourth quarter surge.

This win came despite losing to Canada in the preliminary round 68-52, and immediately after falling 71-43 to Great Britain in the semifinals.

"We lost against Canada in a group game. That showed us how good the team is, so we took them seriously," said Germany's Tobias Hell. 

"And they had to give (their) all to win that game. It's basketball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and this time we won."

"We fought through this game for 40 minutes. No matter the score. We just kept going, and now being called a bronze medallist at my first Paralympic Games is crazy," said Alexander Budde. 

"We dedicated this to our coach, who had his birthday today, as well as all the players and staff members that went through the whole journey since the last time we qualified for a semifinal, which was 1992."

Home hero

Despite losing to Canada, Germany and Great Britain in the preliminary round and finishing eighth in the tournament, France's men's wheelchair basketball made a celebrated return to the Paralympic Games after a 20-year absence, having last appeared at Athens 2004. 

"What's going to stay with us is the crowd—the atmosphere, the vibration. The first game was baptism by fire. We were surprised to see the intensity," said France's Christophe Carlier. 

"We didn't know what to expect at the Paralympics. The crowd came back with fervour.

"It's my first Paralympic experience. I've discovered a universe where we—as athletes—really belong. I hope there will be a sequel, a really great sequel."