With less than 24 hours to go until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begin, these are the athletes you need to stop and watch, either in Paris itself or at home on TV. This 28 August, a Paralympic event that promises to be historic, driven by the unstoppable digitisation and progress that accompanies the adaptation and accessibility of sport, will kick off. In essence, a whirlwind of emotions and feats will unfold in the French capital, showcasing the world’s best athletes in an exhibition of courage.
TERESA PERALES
To begin with, it would be a disservice to the Paralympic world not to highlight the name of Spanish swimmer Teresa Perales. Over the course of her career, the Aragonese athlete has amassed an impressive total of 27 medals. The 48-year-old icon arrives in Paris with the ambitious goal of equalling the 28 medals won by the most decorated Olympic athlete in history, Michael Phelps.
DAVID SMITH
It is impossible to talk about boccia without the name David Smith coming to mind. The British athlete has won a medal in every Paralympic event he has participated in, including three gold medals. Smith is also known for his charisma, as he often dyes his hair a different colour for every game he participates in.
SARAH STOREY
If we spoke earlier of Perales as a veteran of the medal pantheon, Storey is no less so. With one more medal than the Spaniard, Storey is the most decorated British Paralympic athlete, with 28 medals in both swimming and cycling. A truly remarkable achievement.
OMARA DURAND
At the Paralympic Games, Cuban athlete Omara Durand is virtually undefeated. Like King Midas, everything she touches turns to gold. With a total of eight medals in her four appearances, her performance is truly exceptional and places her firmly in the ‘elite’ category.
DIEDE DE GROOT
The young Dutch tennis player’s link to glory is as recent but as strong as her powerful backhand shots. The 27-year-old Dutch wheelchair tennis player boasts an impressive record: six titles at the Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon; five Musketeers Cups at Roland Garros; and two Paralympic golds in singles and doubles in Tokyo.
RYLEY BATT
The 35-year-old veteran is a symbol of Australian wheelchair rugby prowess. Featured as a key figure in the 2020 Netflix documentary ‘Rising Phoenix’, Ryley Batt has twice been crowned Paralympic champion with Australia (2012, 2016). He has also won two world championships and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2014. Definitely a career to be proud of.
MARCEL HUG
At almost forty years old, Marcel Hug is undoubtedly a giant of wheelchair racing and a visual definition of ‘effort’. With six Paralympic titles and a total of 12 medals, Hug stands at the pinnacle of Paralympic athletics. His dominance was evident in Paris last year, where he won three world titles in the 800m, 1500m and 5000m.
