Paralympics 2024: A culmination of breathtaking victories to ...
The 2024 Paris Paralympics ended tonight after the world had watched in awe as more than 4,000 athletes from around the globe competed in more than 500 events across 22 sports.
From breathtaking victories to heartwarming moments, the Games have been filled with inspiration, emotion and extraordinary performances.
From equestrian to basketball, the games are sure to leave a lasting legacy for sports enthusiasts.
Ellen Keane and Michael Murphy acted as Ireland’s flag bearers for the closing ceremony at the Stade de France tonight, which kicked off after 7pm.
Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham is 28 weeks pregnant (ParalympicsGB /PA)
Welsh archer Jodie Grinham made history by winning both gold and bronze in archery, all while seven months’ pregnant.
Grinham, the first openly pregnant athlete to win a Paralympic medal in archery, spoke to Sky News about her unique experience: "You acknowledge it and go, ‘I know you’re there, mummy loves you,’ and you carry on with your process, so it wasn’t a distraction."
Grinham was born with a short left arm, no fingers, and half a thumb on her left hand. She is the first athlete with this disability to practise archery.
Azerbaijan’s Lamiya Valiyeva won gold with a new world record of 11.76 seconds, closely followed by Brazil’s Rayane Soares da Silva.
Brazilian twins Debora and Beatriz Borges Carneiro took silver and bronze in the women’s 100m breaststroke. In a touching moment on the podium, the sisters bowed to gold medalist Louise Fiddes of Team GB, recreating Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles' tribute to Rebeca Andrade at the Olympic Games.
Brazilian twins Debora (left, silver medallist) and Beatriz Borges Carneiro (right, bronze medallist) celebrate with gold medallist, Britain's Louise Fiddes during the victory ceremony for the women's SB14 100m breaststroke final. Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Brazilian badminton player Rogerio Junior Xavier de Oliveira took the gold medal for romance by proposing to his girlfriend, volleyball player Edwarda de Oliveira Dias, during a match. His adventurous and creative proposal was met with a resounding “yes”.
Badminton player Rogerio Junior Xavier de Oliveira of Team Brazil holds a sign which translates to 'Edwarda Will You Marry Me?' whilst proposing to his girlfriend and fellow Paralympian volleyball player Edwarda de Oliveira Dias. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Team Ireland also claimed victory with the boys and girls in green earning medals across several categories.
Róisín Ní Ríain won Ireland’s first medal of the Games with a silver in the Women’s 100m Backstroke S13, finishing with a time of 1:07.27. She edged out Italy’s Carlotta Gilli for second place, with the USA’s Gia Pergolini winning gold.
Katie-George Dunlevy and pilot Linda Kelly secured Ireland's first gold medal of the Games in the Women’s B Individual Time Trial.
Katie-George Dunlevy, left, and pilot Linda Kelly of Ireland celebrate after finishing second in the Women's B road race on day nine of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at Clichy-sous- Bois in Paris, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
The duo delivered a stunning performance with a time of 38:16.58, finishing more than 1 minute and 23 seconds ahead of second-placed Great Britain’s Sophie Unwin and pilot Jenny Holl
Fresh off her silver medal win, Róisín Ní Ríain clinched bronze in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley, finishing just 0.08 seconds behind the winner with a time of 2:27.47. Italy’s Carlotta Gilli won gold, followed by the USA’s Olivia Chambers.
Orla Comerford added another bronze to Ireland’s tally with a strong performance in the Women’s 100m T13 final. She finished third with a time of 11.94 seconds.
Orla Comerford of Ireland crosses the line to win a bronze medal in the women's T13 100m final on day six of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
From groundbreaking athletic achievements to touching personal stories, the 2024 Paralympic Games have truly been a celebration of the human spirit. Each event has highlighted the strength, perseverance, and resilience of the athletes, making these Games unforgettable.
