Numerous billboards have popped up in recent days through the streets of Paris.
“Game is not over.”
With the Olympics in the rear-vision mirror, Paris 2024 and the International Paralympic Committee’s marketing campaign is in full swing ahead of an 11-day display of world-class sport for athletes with a disability, starting with Wednesday evening’s opening ceremony along the Champs-Élysées.
Australia’s 160 athletes will compete in 17 of the 22 Paralympic sports in Paris.
The time zone will be less than ideal for Australian audiences but action does get under way at about 5pm AEST each day.
Australia’s team is littered with household names but here are 10 events – some featuring international names – that are must-watch on Channel Nine and Stan television coverage.
Australian Paralympic athletes in the team’s new uniform in Sydney. Credit: Nikki Short
Daniel Michel’s attempt at boccia history
At the Tokyo Paralympics, Michel became the first Australian to win a boccia medal since 1996. Boccia is a sport for athletes with high levels of impairment who propel leather balls as close as possible to a white ball or “jack”, much like lawn bowls. Michel, who won bronze three years ago, is competing in the individual BC4 category, which begins on Thursday at 10pm AEST. A potential gold medal match would take place on September 2. Michel, who has been mentored by former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, will also bowl with Jamieson Leeson in the pairs competition.
From 6.30pm AEST, August 29
Michael Roeger’s redemption story
The 34-year-old is about to compete at his fifth Paralympics, this time in the 1500m event on the track (T46). It’s been a case of near misses for Roeger, who hasn’t had the greatest luck at the Paralympics with injury and illness. A gold medal would be one of the stories of the Games if Roeger could get it done, having taken silver (2023) and bronze (2024) at recent world championships. A potential 1500m final looms on Saturday at 6:58 pm AEST.
6pm AEST, August 31
The second-tallest man in the world
Iran’s Morteza Mehrzad is not a recognisable name or face but when he plays sitting volleyball in Paris, he’s the first person everyone notices. At 246 centimetres tall, Mehrzad is the second-tallest person in the world but suffered from acromegaly at a young age – a condition that causes the body to produce too much growth hormone. It is a sight to watch Mehrzad tower over teammates and opponents, belting balls over the net. Australia don’t have a sitting volleyball team but tune in on Friday at 10pm AEST to see Mehrzad in action.
10pm AEST, August 30
Iranian sitting volleyball player Morteza Mehrzad is the second-tallest man in the world. Credit: Olympic Information Service
Blind football action
The most picturesque sporting arena at the Olympics was arguably the beach volleyball stadium under the Eiffel Tower. Out with the sand and in with blind football (soccer). In what will be another spectacular backdrop, the local crowd will be going wild for team France. Action gets under way on Sunday.
From 7.30pm AEST, September 1
Alexa Leary goes for gold
A horror cycling accident while taking part in triathlon training changed Leary’s life forever. Her family said goodbye to her eight times in intensive care but she survived, got back into the pool, won a world title and qualified for her maiden Paralympics. She is racing in 50m and 100m freestyle events, starting on Thursday AEST, and has enormous support back in Australia.
From 5.30pm AEST, August 29
Former junior triathlete turned para-swimmer Alexa Leary.Credit: Dan Peled
Hani Watson pushes for para-powerlifting glory
A big chance of a medal in para-powerlifting, which is effectively a one-rep max for a bench press. Watson made a name for herself by winning a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She dedicated the win to her father, a bodybuilder, who passed away when she was 17. Watson was born with bilateral metaphyseal dysplasia, which bowed her tibia and femur bones.
7.35pm AEST, September 8
Bear attack survivor takes to the table
Australia is stacked with table tennis stars, with this year’s Paralympic squad of 12 the biggest since 1968. It features reigning gold medallists Qian Yang and Lina Lei, as well as Olympian Melissa Tapper. One to keep an eye on is Ma Lin, simply for his remarkable story. Ma lost his right arm after being bitten by a bear at a zoo in China in the mid-1990s. The attack took place when Ma tried to pat the bear through a gap in the fence. Action begins on Thursday.
From 6pm AEST, August 29
Ma Lin in the gold medal match on day ten of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.Credit: Getty
Girl power in Australia’s wheelchair rugby team
One of the great sports to watch, Australia’s wheelchair rugby team, the Steelers, are eager for glory in Paris. Australia claimed silver in 2008 before back-to-back golds in 2012 and 2016. The team, led by Ryley Batt and Chris Bond, want an improvement on their fourth place in Tokyo following their victory at the 2022 world championships. The team has also three women – Shae Graham (second Paralympics), as well as Emile Miller and Ella Sabljak.
2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship where the Australian Steelers won against the USA 58-55.
From 7.30pm AEST, August 29
‘Scooter’ takes on Kelly in 150m medley
Australian swimmers Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson versus Ahmed Kelly. The two great mates have been through plenty in their illustrious careers. They might not be the quickest through the water but always have the biggest smiles on pool deck. Patterson, affectionately nicknamed ‘Scooter’ because of the bike he rides around on, picked up silver and bronze medals in Tokyo and would love a gold in Paris, while Kelly is also chasing a maiden Paralympic first place. Both have physical disabilities and will go head-to-head on Sunday in the 150m individual medley.
5.30pm AEST, September 1
Cyclist Alistair Donohoe rides for gold
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You’ll struggle to find a more motivated cyclist than Donohoe. In Tokyo, he finished second in the 400m individual pursuit, third in the road time trial and fifth in the road race. A horror crash in 2016 with the finish line in sight is something that Donohoe will never forget. He recently told the ABC: “Unfortunately, it’s kind of scary coming towards Paris. If I don’t win it, it’s going to f—ing hurt. I’m just going to have to prepare myself that might be the outcome.”
From 7.58pm AEST, August 31
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is live and free on Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now and ad-free on Stan Sport.
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