Preparations are in full swing at the Paralympic Village for the upcoming Paris Games, with the village set to open its doors for the arrival of participating athletes in late August.
Images of ‘the Phryges’, the mascot for the Paralympics which commence on August 28, adorned the walls at the village in Saint-Denis, which will welcome over 4,400 Paralympic athletes from 171 nations.
While some athletes are already present, the official opening of the village is scheduled in just two days on August 21.
This village, previously used during the Olympics, has been redesigned to cater to all types of disabilities.
The village is equipped with vehicles to aid the athletes’ mobility and also provides accessible apartments with suitable beds and bathrooms.
Paris 2024’s head of Paralympics integration, Ludivine Munos, described it as “somewhat akin to Disneyland for individuals with disabilities, where every detail has been meticulously planned and considered,” during a press visit on Monday (August 19).
For the first time, the centre for repairing prosthetics, orthotics, and wheelchairs is located in the heart of the village.
According to Munos, it is expected to carry out almost 200 repairs every day during the Games.
Olympics and Paralympics village director, Laurent Michaud, said that no major problems were identified during the Olympics and that very few repairs had to be carried out between the two events.
“All the flats have been tested by the Olympic athletes, they are ready, definitely ready for the Paralympic phase. We’re already expecting athletes to be very satisfied with the welcome and the quality of the flats.”
The Paralympic Games will last until Sept 8.
