Paralympic Village opens for athletes

With only a few days remaining until the start of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, thousands of para-athletes from across the globe have gathered in the Paralympic Village in Paris, where they are finalizing their preparations for the upcoming competition.

The Paralympic Village, located in the northern suburbs of Paris in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, reopened on Aug 21 after a week of preparations following the conclusion of the Olympic Games on Aug 13.

This brief window allowed organizers to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate the upcoming Paralympic events.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Village is fully accessible and thoughtfully designed to accommodate the needs of all Para athletes. The residential areas and apartments are step-free, and electric sockets have been positioned 45 centimeters above the floor to ensure easy access for athletes with various disabilities.

Ludivine Munos, head of Paralympic Integration for Paris 2024, shared that the Paris 2024 Paralympic Village has resolved all the inconveniences she experienced during her time as an athlete staying in the Village.

"For me, the biggest point was that I can invite my colleagues to my room without having to consider accessibility," she said.

In the Main Dining Hall, buffet counters are set at a height that allows athletes in wheelchairs to easily access food. The trays provided are made from non-slip materials, and carts are available to help athletes move their trays with ease.

The Village fitness center is open 24/7, providing athletes with around-the-clock access to more than 300 pieces of equipment, ensuring they can optimize their training schedules. Additionally, a polyclinic - a fully equipped mini-hospital - operates daily to serve the medical needs of athletes and residents.

Chinese Paralympic badminton player Lin Naili, who is staying in a two-bedroom apartment with his coach and teammates, praised the accessibility of both his living space and the wider Paralympic Village.

The room's electrical outlets are conveniently placed within reach from a wheelchair, while the bathroom facilities, including the sink and toilet, are set at optimal heights. The shower is also equipped with a seat with handrails, he said.

"We arrived at the village on the Aug 21. There's a gym, dining hall and convenience store, and the riverside setting is quite pleasant," Lin said. "We're currently getting used to the venues, working on fitness and strength training, and taking time to explore the village and familiarize ourselves with the area."