Paris 2024 Paralympics: a historical guide to the sports
Clickability's Guide to the Paralympics
By Tristram Peters · Originally published 23 August 2024
Original article and dated context
Tristram Peters is Head of Participant Engagement at Clickability, supporting participants find their perfect service provider. He co-hosts the Grow Bold with Disability and What Are You Staring at? Podcasts and plays powerchair footballer whenever he gets a chance.
I think we can all agree that the 2024 Paris Olympics captivated the Australian public, as we soared to a fourth-placed finish on the medal tally. Who could forget our amazing feats in the pool (Kaylee McKeown taking the honours with the double double!), Nina Kennedy vaulting to gold in the pole vault, or Jess and Noemie making it three golds in their canoe disciplines. AND SO MUCH MORE.
But if you're feeling those Olympics withdrawals, never fear: it's now time for the Paralympics! In this guide, we’re going to explore the history of the Paralympics, showcase its sports, and share Paris 2024's must-watch events. Suffice to say, if you were gripped by the Olympics, then the Paralympics will be the perfect remedy.
The Paralympics
Fun fact: The origins of the Paralympics began in 1944, when Dr. Ludwig Guttmann opened a spinal injuries centre at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Great Britain. He believed in the rehabilitative powers of sport and would go on to would create the ‘Stoke Mandeville Games’ in 1948, featuring 16 injured servicemen and women. In 1960, these Games would become the Paralympics.
As former Paralympian Jason Diederich said, we should always refer to the Paralympics when we mention the Olympics. After all, ‘para’ means ‘beside’ or ‘alongside’ in Greek. But despite that, it wasn’t till London 2012 that the Paralympics got its due fanfare, and the media took note.
For more on the history of the Paralympics, check out the Netflix documentary Phoenix Rising, with Australian wheelchair rugby player Riley Batt featuring. It’s really, really good. Trust us.
[Clickability update, October 2026: The documentary’s title is Rising Phoenix. The IPC’s original film announcement also identifies Australian athlete Ryley Batt, whose name is misspelled in the original passage.]
The Sports
At the Paris Paralympics, like the Games before it, we have a smorgasbord of sports to feast on and you’ll know many of these at first glance. You can find the full list here. But there’s some you might be less familiar with. Here’s our rule rundown for the sports you might not know.
Boccia
Boccia involves athletes throwing, kicking, or using a ramp to propel leather their six balls as close to a white ball (the ‘jack’) as possible. An athlete gets one point for each ball closer to the jack than the opponents. Athletes compete in singles, pairs, and teams. Think of it as bowls, but with a twist.
Goalball
Athletes with a vision impairment attempt to roll a ball into the opponent’s goal. A bell inside the ball orientates the opponents, so they can dive and prevent a goal being scored. Regardless of their level of vision, all athletes must be blindfolded. Teams consist of six players, with three on the court at one time.
Wheelchair Rugby
Athletes play using a volleyball, which can be carried, dribbled, and passed – but if in possession, an athlete must bounce the ball at least once every 10 seconds. Athletes get a point for carrying the ball between the two posts on the opposition’s goal line. It’s a fierce, intense sport.
Your Schedule
The Paralympics will be broadcast on the Nine Network and streamed live, ad-free, and on-demand on Stan. Fair warning: with the Games, you'll have to set your alarm clocks. There's some early starts. All times below are AEST.
[Clickability update, October 2026: This swimming date is incorrect for Paris 2024. The IPC’s swimming preview places competition from 29 August to 7 September 2024. The listed broadcast times are historical and should not be used to plan current viewing.]
Australia dominated in the pool at the Olympics and they'll look to repeat the dose at the Paralympics. Keep an eye out for world champion in the S9 100m Alexa Leary, world record holder Katja Dedekind in the S13 50m, and all-round legend Rowan Crowthers... who just bags gold medals for fun. Action in the pool begins at 1.30AM.
The Australian Steelers didn't have the campaign they were hoping for at 2021 Games, failing to defend their gold medals from Rio and London. But with Riley Batt and Chris Bond leading the charge, the team is determined to vanquish 2021 gold-medal winners Great Britain in their very first match of the competition. What a tantalising start! Tune in from 7.30pm.
Australia is really, REALLY good at boccia, with Daniel Michel and Jamieson Leeson becoming the world No. 1 team in the BC3 pairs. Daniel is also the best in the world in men's BC3. No alarm clocks needed for this one, with play beginning at 6.30PM.
Paralympian Curtis McGrath has one helluva story, losing his right leg above the knee and his left leg below his knee while serving as a combat engineer in Afghanistan. Legend has it that, as he was being loaded into the helicopter right after his injury, he vowed to become Paralympian. And he more than fulfilled his promises, winning Gold at both the 2016 and 2021 Games in the para-canoe. He's back for more too!
We've got a plethora of genuine gold-medal chances on the track! Long-jumper Vanessa Low will be striving for her third consecutive gold medal, flag-bearer Maddison de Rozario will be looking to back up her two golds in wheelchair racing from 2021, and James Turner will be aiming to continue his hot-streak in the T36 100m and 400m. The action begins from August 30.
That’s it… for now! Don’t worry, we’ll update as we go and bring you more must-watch events as they’re announced.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
Use the Games as a starting point for the sport you want to explore
Choose a sport because it interests you, rather than feeling you must aim for elite competition. Ask a relevant club about participation opportunities, access and adjustments. The official Paris 2024 archive records that event; it is not a current local class directory.
Recreational participation and elite classification are different questions. Confirm the actual activity, assistance and costs instead of assuming a Games sport establishes NDIS funding.
Support an interest without turning it into an achievement target
Ask what the person enjoyed watching and whether they want to try anything locally. Help check facilities and assistance with permission. Medal performances can be celebrated without becoming an expectation that every disabled person should compete or excel.
Tell Clickability what disability-related assistance you want with daily life and participation. Compare reviewed and rated profiles and confirm the actual service arrangements.
