With just four days to go until the Paralympic Games begin, the Athletes’ Village was abuzz with activity on Saturday as athletes from 168 delegations settled into their temporary homes, preparing for their upcoming competitions.
The village, nestled in the northern suburbs of Paris in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, closed on August 13 after the conclusion of the Olympics, giving organizers a week to make necessary adjustments for the next Paralympics.
Paralympic Village Manager Laurent Michaud spoke about the village’s rapid but careful transformation. The village was built from the ground up with inclusion in mind, but this past week has been crucial in fine-tuning the details to ensure every aspect is perfectly tailored to the needs of para-athletes.
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“All traffic routes, sidewalks and accesses are fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. It is a 100% accessible village,” he explained.
The village reopened on August 21, transformed to meet the specific needs of the 4,400 para-athletes.
Among the most significant changes are additional ramps and improved lighting throughout the village, making it easier for athletes of all mobility or visual impairments to move around. Sandy floors and grates that could have been problematic for wheelchair users have been covered with carpets.
Motorised devices were also made available to wheelchair users, providing a helping hand to move around the village more quickly and pleasantly. These devices quickly became very popular with the athletes, adding an element of enjoyment to their mobility.
One scene that captured all the joy was that of three Iranian athletes. They were seen walking down the main aisle to the dining hall, one of them using the motorized machine while the others held on to their companion’s shoulders, laughing as they enjoyed the ride.
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Ludivine Munos, a former French para-athlete and Paris 2024 integration manager, praised the development of the village, calling it a “paradise” for para-athletes.
“The goal was to provide the best possible experience for the athletes during their stay, ensuring they could focus entirely on their performance without worrying about accessibility issues,” Munos said.
Minor adjustments have also been made to improve daily living. In the dining room, tables have been spaced out to allow wheelchair access and some chairs have been removed to create a more open layout.
Philipp Wurz, head of catering, highlighted these subtle but important changes. The products in the refrigerators were arranged on all shelves so that wheelchair users or athletes of smaller stature could easily access them. Volunteers were also present to help athletes who needed help carrying their trays. For those who wanted to carry them on their laps, a thin layer of rubber was added to prevent the food from sliding.
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In the living areas, electrical outlets have been installed at a height of 45 cm (17 inches) from the floor, which avoids wheelchair users having to bend over to get in. In the bathrooms, grab bars have been strategically placed: one is firmly fixed to the wall and the other has suction cups, which allows them to adapt to different needs.
“The smallest details can make major improvements for para-athletes,” Wurz noted.
Beyond these practical amenities, para-athletes will also be able to enjoy a range of services, including a bakery, massage parlor, grocery store, 24-hour gym, hair and nail salon and a free clinic, all available within the village.
The Paralympic Games will begin on August 28 and end on September 8.
