By Eduardo Martinez,
The 2024 Paris Paralympics are on track for success, with organizers now focused on attracting spectators to the premier sporting event for people with disabilities, according to International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons.
"We are very happy where we are with (preparing) the games," Parsons said in a recent interview with Kyodo News. "Now, with 100 days to go, the focus is on the promotion," he said.
With the games to be held against a backdrop of major cross-border conflicts, Parsons voiced optimism that Ukraine would be able to participate in Paris this year amid its ongoing war with Russia.
Ukraine is "usually a top 5 country," Parsons said, referring to the eastern European nation's typical ranking on the medal table. He expressed hope that the number of Ukrainian athletes will be similar to that of the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Meanwhile, participants from Russia and its ally Belarus, who have been permitted to compete as neutrals, are yet to be finalized, Parsons said.
"We are still in the qualification process...we are starting the process of vetting," he said.
But Parsons was less clear about athletes from Palestine competing amid the worsening Israel-Gaza war. An IPC official later said the committee was in "regular contact with (the National Paralympic Committee of) Palestine for their participation in the games."
Meanwhile, the IPC president emphasized the need to promote ticket sales and television viewership ahead of the opening ceremony in Paris on Aug. 28.
"Now is the moment when people are making decisions," Parsons said. "It's about making sure people know where (and how) to buy tickets, which sport and which day."
Parsons also commented on efforts to make Paris and France as accessible as possible ahead of the games.
"President (Emmanuel) Macron announced a package of 1.5 billion euros in making public spaces accessible throughout France," Parsons said. "The city of Paris has announced 125 million euros in investment in making the underground transport system accessible."
The French capital also aims to have 1,000 wheelchair-accessible taxis in operation by the time the games open, he said.
Parsons outlined the efforts of Club Inclusif, created by the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, aimed at raising awareness in 3,000 sports clubs across France through improving physical education practices and by educating coaches, so they are prepared to welcome "not only (para) athletes, but persons with disabilities in general."
As security concerns have persisted about the Olympics and Paralympics, Parsons said he is "confident" that the IPC was "taking adequate measures," adding that the task was mainly in the hands of French authorities.
"France has a lot of experience in big gatherings," Parsons said, pointing to other major events such as the Tour de France and Rugby World Cup that have been held safely.
Reflecting on the Tokyo 2021 games, Parsons said they "left a good legacy" and "helped change the mindsets of people with disabilities" that helped spur an increase in interest in para sports in Japan.
"What we see are opportunities to keep that discussion alive," Parsons said, referring to the Kobe 2024 Para Athletics World Championships that kicked off Friday in the western Japan city, the Deaflympics to be held in Tokyo in 2025, and the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
Parsons also said ordinary Japanese fans could keep the Tokyo Games legacy alive by simply participating in para sports in any capacity. "If you're a fan (of para sports), it's already a good start," he said.
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