Paris 2024: Jurgen Klopp says Paralympics can ‘change the world’

Although New Zealand Para badminton player Wojtek Czyz lost his opening match at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, he had a famous friend in the crowd to keep his spirits up; former Liverpool football manager Jurgen Klopp. 

Klopp and Czyz go back 23 years, when the 44-year-old, an ex-footballer, had his leg amputated after an accident during a match. Czyz took up Para athletics with Klopp's support, and qualified for the Paralympics in Athens 2024, before competing at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, winning seven medals and four golds in sprints and the long jump. 

He sailed around the world before settling in Hamilton, New Zealand, got into Para badminton and was ultimately named as the country’s sole representative in the SL3 classification in Paris. 

Despite Czyz’s loss to British hopeful Daniel Bethell, both he and Klopp were in a jovial mood.

"I couldn't be prouder of him, to be here again with all the things in between, the start of the dream and being here. I saw his wife Elena and we both had tears in our eyes," said Klopp

Klopp came to Paris specifically to support his friend, but still managed to get in some sights. 

“Yesterday we stood in front of the Eiffel Tower and we both thought 'wow'. It's super special," he said. 

Klopp attended popstar Taylor Swift’s concert at Anfield, home of his former club, just weeks after he departed. After watching the remarkable Opening Ceremony at Place de la Concorde, he saw fit to make a comparison. 

"What I experienced last night was wonderful. The Opening Ceremony was like a Taylor Swift concert... Outstanding! I saw so many athletes with big smiles in the stands.” 

Special athlete stories

"The stories behind the athletes are always special, and that's what I love about sport, that it can change the world," says Klopp, and he boasts that he has told Czyz’s story, 'over 500 times'. 

“I saw his wife Elena, and we both had tears in our eyes. He is constantly doing things I’m not brave enough to do. He told me yesterday how easy it was to dive with sharks.” 

Klopp laughed and remarked that he wasn't 'going to try it'.

Powerful Paralympic ally 

Czyz said Klopp’s presence will help grow Para sport and having him as a vocal ally will help it shine. 

“Jurgen is family,” he said. “We made our way; me in the Paralympics and him as a coach. We always stayed close together.  

“It has been a long time that he has wanted to come, but he is here to make a statement: the Paralympics and Para sport is amazing. We need people like Jurgen to put the focus on it. That is why I’m very proud of him. 
 
“He said if he could help, he’d be there. It is a great day, despite a tough loss.” 

Coming into a new sport, Czyz has experienced something he rarely did in athletics: defeat. But he has learnt from Klopp how to be patient. 

“I understand what is happening. It is not that I'm happy; I’m patient, but this is not the result I wanted. But this is what I learnt from Jurgen, you have to keep going.” 

Call for increased support 

Klopp wants awareness and understanding of the Paralympic movement and insists it cannot just be in focus every four years. 

“I think we are all ready to see more than is shown,” he said. “I was watching last night and the people who are here all the time do what they can, maybe it for us who are not always there to support it a lot more. 

“The Paralympics is for all. I saw people in the crowd yesterday (at the Opening Ceremony) with disabilities and it means the world to them. A story is about ups and downs, we all want a happy ending. To show all these happy endings is the best example.” 

Czyz is embarking on a new journey in Para badminton, but with the support of his friends, not least Klopp himself, he's hoping for future success.