Paralympics kicks off in Paris: what to expect and Nigeria’s Stars to watch

The Paralympic Games are set to light up Paris, the games started on Wednesday 28th August, and will run until September 8, with 549 gold medals on the line.

This global event, following the post-Covid Olympics, promises to showcase the incredible talents of athletes with disabilities, including those from Nigeria.

The opening ceremony will be a first in Paralympic history, taking place not in a stadium but along Paris’ iconic Champs-Élysées. Over 180 countries will participate, with athletes parading down the famous street, offering a unique spectacle for the public.

Nigeria is sending a strong contingent to Paris, with hopes of securing medals in athletics, powerlifting, and table tennis. Some Nigerian athletes to watch are Flora Ugwunwa, a gold medalist in the javelin throw from Rio 2016, and Latifat Tijani, a powerlifting champion who also won gold in Tokyo 2020. Their performances will be closely followed as fans hope they will bring home more medals for Nigeria.

Day 1 will feature preliminaries in wheelchair rugby and men’s wheelchair basketball. The U.S. men’s basketball team is chasing a third consecutive gold medal, while Nigeria’s athletes will begin their quest in athletics and powerlifting in the days to follow.

On Day 3, the action heats up with seven finals featuring top athletes, including Nigerians. Susannah Scaroni will defend her gold in the women’s 5,000-meter T54, while Nigeria’s Lucy Ejike, a seasoned Paralympian, will compete in powerlifting, hoping to add to her impressive medal haul.

As the Games progress, all eyes will be on these extraordinary athletes, who continue to inspire with their resilience and determination on the world stage.