Athletes and Fans Prepare for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

KQED's Forum

The Paralympic Games open in Paris next week, showcasing the talent of elite athletes in 22 adaptive sports. Some, like Boccia and Goalball, are unique to the Paralympics while others, like sitting volleyball and wheelchair fencing, parallel Olympic events – with a twist. We’ll check in with members of Team USA, learn more about the athletes and events to watch, and hear about efforts to expand adaptive sports in California as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 games. And we hear from you: Are you a para-athlete? Tell us what you love about your sport.

Guests:

David Wharton, sports reporter, Los Angeles Times - Covering 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris for The Los Angeles Times

Kelly Crowley, former Paralympic athlete and medalist, She won gold medals in the women's swimming freestyle and medley relays in Greece in 2004, and bronze medals in cycling in 2012. She has coached swimming for nearly two decades and has also worked for tech companies on digital accessibility projects.

Michael Garafola, coordinator, UCLA Adaptive and Instructional Programs; Garafola is a competitive Wheelchair Athlete, and has competed with the LA Clippers wheelchair basketball, LA Rams wheelchair football and wheelchair tennis teams.

Justin Phongsavanh, Paralympic javelin thrower competing in the Paris 2024 Games