The Paralympic Games in Paris were a huge success, with many incredible athletic performances and memorable moments. Here are some of the top highlights:
Team USA Finishes 3rd in Medal Count
The United States had a strong showing at the Games, finishing 3rd in the overall medal count with 105 total medals, including 36 gold medals. This placed them behind China (220 total, 94 gold) and Great Britain (124 total, 49 gold). The U.S. excelled in sports like swimming, track and field, cycling, and triathlon.
Wheelchair Basketball Gold for the Netherlands, Silver for the USA
In a highly anticipated women’s wheelchair basketball final, the Netherlands defeated the United States 63-49 to win the gold medal. This was the first time the U.S. women’s team had reached the gold medal game since 2016. The Dutch team, led by veterans like Mariska Beijer and Bo Kramer, were able to pull away in the second half to claim the title.
Susannah Scaroni Wins Bronze in Women’s Marathon T54
American Susannah Scaroni capped off an impressive Paralympic Games with a bronze medal in the women’s marathon T54 event. Scaroni, a six-time Paralympian, battled with Australia’s Madison de Rozario for the silver medal before ultimately finishing third with a time of 1:46.29. This was Scaroni’s first Paralympic medal in the marathon.
Historic Firsts and Streaks Continued
The U.S. team achieved several historic milestones at the Games. This included the first American woman to win a Paralympic medal in wheelchair rugby (Sarah Adam), the first American archers to medal in badminton (Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon), and four-time Paralympian Matt Stutzman becoming the first armless archer to win Paralympic gold. The U.S. also continued winning streaks in events like men’s wheelchair basketball, women’s sitting volleyball, and Para triathlon.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
The Paralympics featured many heartwarming and inspiring moments, from Ezra Frech manifesting his dream of winning gold in the T63 100m and high jump, to pregnant archer Jodie Grinham winning bronze, to Ukrainian teacher Svetlana Shabalina surprising her former student Oksana Kozyna in the stands. Athlete quotes like Oksana Masters’ excitement and Valentina Petrillo’s emotional reflection on being a trans parent also stood out.
The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris showcased the incredible athleticism, determination, and stories of Paralympic athletes from around the world. The U.S. team had a strong performance, setting the stage for an exciting home Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
