Paralympics-Paris 2024 will be turning point for Paralympics, says IPC president

By Vincent Daheron and Tom Little

PARIS (Reuters) - The Paris Games will represent a turning point for the Paralympic movement, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons told Reuters on the eve of the opening ceremony.

More than 1.75 million tickets had been sold by Friday ahead of the Aug. 28 start of the Paralympics, which will run until Sept. 8.

"The paralympic movement has become more relevant than ever," Parsons said on Tuesday.

"But it's also because of the ambition of the Paris 2024 organising committee. In many areas, they are innovative and we're part of that. I think there will be a before Paris and after Paris for the paralympic movement."

More than a month after the opening ceremony of the Olympics on the Seine, the Paralympic Games' opening event will also take place outside a stadium, this time on the Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde.

"To us, it's like the city of Paris is giving this gigantic hug to our athletes, embracing the paralympic movement," said Parsons, who was elected IPC president in 2017.

"This is very special because it's like: 'Look, we talk about 4,400 athletes with disability, but you're part of what we are as a city, because we are a diverse city.'

"After the Olympics and seeing what has happened here, we can't wait for the opening ceremony. It was incredible. People just happy and proud, and this is what we want to see during the Paralympics.

"From the feedback we are getting, (we think) it will happen (again)."

The performance of the French team, composed of 237 athletes, will have an influence on maintaining the enthusiasm seen at the end of July and the beginning of August, according to Parsons.

"We hope France can win a couple of medals, especially in the very first days, it's important," the 47-year-old Brazilian said.

The IPC president acknowledged the Paralympic Games will take place in a different context in France to the Olympics, as negotiations for the formation of a new government have resumed and the school year starts next Monday.

"It's a different context but with the Paralympic Games, we offer a little bit of a break from politics for (those who need it). I think we will experience quite the same atmosphere," Parsons said.

(Writing by Anita Kobylinska; Editing by Toby Davis)