The 2024 Paralympic Games are just around the corner, kicking off with a showstopping opening ceremony, and SoGlos has got you covered with our round up of athletes from Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds that are heading to Paris to compete — plus everything you need to know about where and when to watch.
When do the 2024 Paralympics start?
The 2024 Paralympics kick off on Wednesday 28 August 2024, with a dazzling opening ceremony at 7.30pm.
The event finishes on Sunday 8 September 2024.
Are the Paralympics on TV?
Yes! The Paris 2024 Paralympics are being covered all day, every day on Channel 4, with extra coverage on More4 and Channel 4's YouTube channel.
Which Paralympians are from Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds?
More than 4,000 athletes are warming up in Paris to compete in 11 days of elite sporting action, with 549 medals to be won.
This year, there are seven spectacular sportspeople from Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds competing in the games, in a range of sporting events from wheelchair fencing to paracycling.
Two athletes from Cirencester are set to take aim in Paris, with Issy Bailey taking on the best of the best in Para shooting, while Pheobe Paterson Pine MBE looks for the bullseye in Para archery after bringing home gold in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.
Gloucester hopefuls starting their quests for medal glory include Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Piers Gilliver MBE, masking up for his third games competing in the wheelchair fencing, and Tyler Walker, braving fierce opposition in the wheelchair rugby tournament.
Melissa Nicholls from Tewkesbury is hitting the track, the cycle lanes and the Seine in her Paralympic debut during the Para triathlon — and the stakes are high as she aims to continue Team GB's success in this event!
Meanwhile, Billy Shilton from Stonehouse is being put to the test in speed and agility in the Para table tennis.
And last but not least — and just crossing the finish line to qualify for our round up — world record holder Daphne Schrager from just over the border in Malmsebury joins her Cotswolds team members to race for gold in the Para cycling events.
