Paris 2024: Five facts about the Paralympic Village
Ahead of the opening of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, here are some interesting details you might not know about the Paralympic Village 25 Aug 2024
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are just days away, and athletes from around the world are arriving to prepare for the biggest moment of their lives. Here are five things to know about the Paralympic Village.
100 per cent accessible
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Village is 100 per cent accessible and meets the needs of every Para athlete. The residence areas and apartments do not have steps. The restrooms are spacious, and the shower has a chair that allows athletes to transfer from their wheelchair.
Electric sockets are even placed 45 centimetres above the floor to make it easier for athletes with different disabilities to reach them.
Ludivine Munos, the Head of Paralympic Integration at Paris 2024, says the Paris 2024 Paralympic Village has addressed everything that she felt inconvenient when she stayed at the Village as an athlete.
“For me, the biggest point was that I can invite my colleagues to my room without having to consider accessibility,” said the 12-time Paralympic medallist in Para swimming.
“My friends in Para swimming were women in wheelchairs and I had to take down some doors down because it was impossible to go into the bathroom with the door,” she explained.
At the Main Dining Hall, buffet counters are set at a height to makes it easy for athletes in wheelchairs to grab food. The trays that athletes use to carry food are created with material that makes them non-slip. There are also carts so people can easily move their trays.
“I had to ask for some help, and you can ask for help – everyone can help so no problem. But I hated when I had to go around the dining hall with someone following me,” said Munos. “That’s why we have carts – for me, that was very important.”
Cuisine from around the world
Do you remember the Muffin Man from the Olympic Games and the viral chocolate muffins? The muffins are very popular, but the Paris 2024 Village offers more than that.
The Village Dining Hall prepares 25,000 meals a day for athletes and staff staying there. There are options for everyone – Asian, Italian, French – you name it. To promote French produce, 80 per cent of raw materials such as vegetables and meat are produced in France.
So, what’s the most popular dish? It’s actually pizza! The dining hall operator said they have had to prepare more pizza to cater to athletes’ needs.
The bakery outside of the Main Dining Hall has French pastries – croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolate – prepared and baked in the Village.
Preparing for the Games
The fitness centre in the Village is open 24 hours a day for athletes to prepare for their competition. There are more than 300 pieces of equipment, allowing athletes to make perfect use of their time.
Just like past Games, Ottobock has a repair centre for athletes’ equipment. The German-based company is expecting to offer 2,000 repairs during the Games.
There is also a polyclinic, which is a mini hospital for athletes and residents, open every day.
Relaxing and making friends
One of the best things about staying at the Village is getting to meet athletes from around the world. There are many places in the Village where athletes can chat, relax or even trade pins. Located in front of the Seine, the Village Club is a sunny terrace where athletes can listen to music, have a drink and socialise.
Picture-perfect Paralympic Village
Have you seen photos of the Paralympic symbol in the Village? It is the best place for athletes to take photos – there have been hundreds of photos on social media since the Village opened on 22 August.
