The 2024 Paris Paralympics concluded with 4,400 athletes from 184 nations competing in a memorable event that saw records broken and inspiring stories unfold. Italian athlete, Alessandro Ossola, proposed to his girlfriend after a race, sharing their love story with the world. Shark-attack survivor, Ali Truwit, won two silver medals in swimming after a shark incident led to the amputation of her leg, showcasing resilience and determination.
Morocco’s Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi broke the world record in the women’s marathon for visually impaired runners, while Japan’s Tokito Oda became the youngest-ever Paralympic men’s singles champion in wheelchair tennis. France’s men’s blind football team secured gold against Argentina, while Canadian wheelchair racer Brent Lakatos won gold in the men’s T53 800 meters event, his wife paralympian Stefanie Reid cheering him on from the commentary box.
Zakia Khudadadi made history by winning the first-ever medal at the Paralympics for the Refugee Team in taekwondo, and the US men’s wheelchair basketball team clinched their third consecutive gold. Dutch track cyclist Caroline Groot set a new standard by winning gold and breaking a world record, while Brazil’s Rayane Soares da Silva broke a 29-year-old record in the women’s 400m T13 final. The Paralympics showcased incredible athleticism, love stories, and triumphs of the human spirit, leaving a lasting impact on all who were involved.
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