Team Nigeria’s delegation for the 2024 Paralympics has arrived in Paris, France, ahead of the competition.
The 35-member squad, comprising 23 athletes, seven coaches, and five medical personnel, arrived at the Games Village on Thursday after completing a training camp in Germany.
Lauritta Onye, a world record holder in the women’s shot put, will serve as the Flag Bearer, while Folashade Olufemi-Ayo has been named Team Captain.
According to Suleiman Isah, Secretary General of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), the team was received by the PCN president, Sunday Odebode, upon their arrival. “The team is settling in now, and tomorrow they start training,” Isah told reporters.
Head coach Nasiru Sule expressed confidence in the athletes’ preparation and motivation, saying, “We are in high spirits and battle ready to go. The training has been going well as planned.”
Team Nigeria aims to improve on its performance at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where they won ten medals. Since making its Paralympic debut in 1992, Nigeria has amassed a total of 80 medals, ranking 37th in the world.
The 2024 Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8 in Paris, France.
At the just concluded Olympics, Team Nigeria performed dismally by winning no medal.
What are the Paralympics?
The Paralympics are a global sporting event for athletes with physical disabilities, including impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency, vision impairment, and intellectual disability. The Games aim to promote equality, inclusion, and empowerment for athletes with disabilities.
In the just concluded Olympics, Team Nigeria performed dismally as they failed to win a single medal.
History of the Paralympics
The Paralympics have a rich history dating back to 1948, when Dr. Ludwig Guttmann organized a sports competition for athletes with spinal cord injuries at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England. The first official Paralympic Games took place in Rome in 1960, with 400 athletes from 23 countries participating.
Paralympics 2024: What to Expect
The Paralympics 2024 will feature over 4,500 athletes from 160 countries, competing in 22 sports and 549 events. The Games will take place at various venues across Paris, including the Stade de France, the Aquatics Centre, and the Velodrome.
New Sports and Events
The Paralympics 2024 will introduce new sports and events, including:
– Para-badminton
– Para-taekwondo
– Para-powerlifting
– Wheelchair basketball 3×3
Empowering Athletes, Inspiring a Nation
The Paralympics are more than just a sporting event; they are a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and determination. The Games provide a platform for athletes with disabilities to showcase their talents, challenge stereotypes, and inspire a nation.
Get Involved
You can be part of the Paralympics 2024 by:
– Watching the Games on TV or online
– Attending events in Paris
– Supporting your national team
– Volunteering with the Paralympic movement