The International Canoe Federation is relishing a record-breaking Paralympic Games for Paracanoe as paddlers prepare to make their dreams come true in 100 days' time.
A total of 100 athletes from 30 countries look set to compete for the biggest prizes in the sport at Paris 2024.
It will be a record total of participants for Paracanoe, which will make its third successive appearance at the Games.
Paracanoe made its Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 where 26 nations were represented, while 28 countries competed at Tokyo 2020.
Algeria, Senegal, South Korea and Thailand are poised to feature for the first time at the Games in Paris, underlining the continued growth of the sport in the African and Asian continents and across the world.
Gender parity will also be achieved at Paris 2024 courtesy of the introduction of the women’s VL3 event.
It means that 10 events will make up the programme in the French capital with men and women competing in the KL1, KL2, KL3, VL2 and VL3.
The Paralympic Games will officially open on August 28 with Paracanoe taking place from September 6 to 8 at Vaires-sur-Marne.
“It is very exciting to reach the 100-day milestone today as we look forward to a record-breaking Paralympic Games,” said John Edwards, Chair of the ICF Paracanoe Committee.
“Paracanoe has come a long way since it made its debut at Rio 2016, going from six events then to 10 now in Paris.
“We will have 100 athletes from 30 countries participating which will be the highest number we have had for a Paralympic Games.
“We are waiting for confirmation of the quotas from the respective National Paralympic Committees but we can see that we will have participation from all the continents with athletes coming from all over the world.”
Tickets remain in high demand for Paracanoe as excitement builds for the Games in Paris.
“We are looking forward to having a Paralympic Games with spectators present again after being without them in Tokyo because of the pandemic,” added Mr Edwards.
“It will be great to have the families and supporters there that form an integral part of an athletes’ preparation.
“I think it is going to be a sellout and I know spectators will be in for an excitement competition after witnessing last week’s ICF Paracanoe World Championships in Szeged, Hungary where 194 athletes from 35 nations competed.
“There were some very tight finishes which all bodes well for the Games and I cannot wait for the competition to start.”
Buy Paris 2024 Paralympics tickets for Paracanoe
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