What's happened
The Paris 2024 Paralympics concluded with China topping the medal table, securing 94 golds. The event featured remarkable performances, including a world record in the women's marathon by Morocco's Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi. Despite initial concerns over water quality, the Games were largely successful, showcasing athletic excellence and resilience.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, the closing ceremony at Stade de France celebrated the achievements of over 4,400 athletes, with Tony Estanguet emphasizing the historical significance of the event. The Guardian reported on the postponement of triathlon events due to water quality concerns, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Paris in cleaning the Seine River. The South China Morning Post noted that despite these issues, the Games were successful, with China maintaining its top position in the medal standings. The Independent and Axios both underscored the importance of athlete health and safety in relation to water quality, reflecting broader concerns about environmental conditions affecting sporting events.
How we got here
The Paris 2024 Paralympics followed the Olympics, which ended on August 11. Concerns over water quality in the Seine River led to postponements of triathlon events, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges. However, the Games ultimately celebrated athletic achievements and inclusivity.
Common question
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How is the severe weather affecting events in the UK?
The UK is currently facing severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and thunderstorms, which are impacting various events and accessibility for individuals, particularly those with disabilities. This situation raises important questions about safety, accessibility, and the measures being taken to mitigate these challenges.
More on these topics
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The Seine is a 777-kilometre-long river and an important commercial waterway within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It rises at Source-Seine, 30 kilometres northwest of Dijon in northeastern France in the Langres plateau, flowing through Paris and
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Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,150,271 residents as of 2020, in an area of 105 square kilometres.
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The Paralympic Games or Paralympics are a periodic series of international multi-sport events involving athletes with a range of disabilities, including impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency, leg length difference, sho
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World Triathlon is the international governing body for the multi-sport disciplines of triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and other nonstandard variations.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.