Council of Europe’s Post

How is Paris preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics?

All eyes are on Paris Olympics & Paralympics this summer... In our recent Future of Sport survey we looked at how it's playing out with the major forces – from sustainability to fandom – and where sport is changing the rules, for good. Read more > https://lnkd.in/eWtkyma4

During the Paris Paralympics, have you seen the white NPA flag go up often and wonder which nation does it represent & which anthem plays when someone from that team wins gold? 👉 NPA stands for 'Neutral Paralympic Athletes' and is used to represent individual athletes from Russia & Belarus, after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) banned the two nation's participation in the Paralympics given the ongoing war 👉 The IPC vets the athletes and only those who have no involvement or affiliation with the war and military are allowed to participate 👉 In Paris, there are 96 participants from Team NPA across 5 sports, majority of them from para-athletics and swimming. 👉 When someone from NPA wins gold, which has happened about 22 times thus far, the Paralympic anthem is played but their medal wins are not officially recorded on the medals table 👉 Similar team structures have been created in the past for representatives from Yugoslavia (1992), East Timor (2000) and refugees & asylees (2016) before an official Refugee Paralympic Team has been created from the 2020 Tokyo Games.

From a fifth-place finish in Tokyo to claiming two gold medals in just 24 hours, Ezra Frech is on a mission to become the greatest Paralympian of all time. "I believe this is what I was put here on this earth to do—normalize disability, change perceptions about what is possible as an amputee, and win back-to-back golds." Discover more about this incredible double Paralympic champion in my feature below. https://lnkd.in/eY6N_gu8

The medals of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 have been unveiled! Whether they are gold, silver or bronze, they will all contain a very special piece of metal that was once part of the Eiffel Tower. Cut into a hexagon, the geometric shape evokes France to the point of becoming its nickname. Also on the same side, thin lines are projected at irregular intervals all around the iron hexagon. Struck rather than engraved, these rays bring relief and shine to a medal that is far from smooth. More information here https://lnkd.in/eRZn98tR Following this announcement, let’s have a look at the medals of the previous editions, thanks to our OSC Reference Document on Olympic Summer Games medals. Available on the Olympic World Library here https://lnkd.in/eRaBMEbv, you will discover each medal, illustrated by a photo of its obverse and reverse, and with a description of the design and the technical details. This document is part of our OSC Reference Collection, accessible here https://lnkd.in/eQ5mkNqV. The content of these documents can be used for non-commercial, educational, research, analysis, review or reporting purposes.

European Para Championships receives extended patronage from European Paralympic Committee The European Paralympic Committee has renewed its patronage to the European Para Championships, providing crucial support in various capacities. This support includes the endorsement of the Games stamp, facilitating communication with European Paralympic Committee members, and contributing to the ongoing development of the European Para Championships across the continent. The shared goal is to host the European Para Championships every four years. Leveraging its affiliations with the International Paralympic Committee and the European Union, the European Paralympic Committee will actively promote the expansion and enhancement of the European Para Championships, not only in upcoming cycles but at least until the 2035 edition. Presently encompassing 10 sports, both the European Paralympic Committee and European Para Championships management envision a broader horizon for the Championships. Aspiring to welcome additional International Federations, if feasible within the concept, in subsequent editions in 2027, 2031, 2035, and beyond. Read more ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eZeK6jxP Eric Kersten | Raymon Blondel | Geoffrey Newton

Another #Olympics may be done and dusted....Tom Cruise has abseiled into the Stade de France (Sorry Tom you're not a patch on Queen Elizabeth parachuting but nice try!). But the spirit of competition and excellence is far from over. 28th August marks the start of the #Paralympic Games - highlighting the incredible abilities of #disabled athletes. I am am blown away by that fact that 24 athletes competing in this year's Paralympics have used Back Up's services at some point in their journey to #Paris! The Paralympics are not just a sports event; they are a global movement that challenges perceptions, breaks down barriers, and fosters inclusivity. These athletes train with the same intensity and determination as their Olympic counterparts, often facing additional hurdles both on and off the field. Supporting the Paralympics also means advocating for greater visibility and accessibility in all aspects of life. It’s an opportunity for businesses, communities, and individuals to commit to creating environments where everyone can thrive. As the Paralympic Games begin, let’s rally behind these incredible athletes, celebrate their victories, and ensure their stories are told with the same enthusiasm and respect that we have shown the Olympians. The journey of excellence continues, and it is one that everyone should be a part of. International Paralympic Committee International Olympic Committee – IOC #teamgb The National Lottery Community Fund #disabilty #spinalcordinjury #sport

🏅 Let’s talk about the difference in the number of medals awarded per day between the Olympic and Paralympic Games. By Day 5 of the Olympics, the top 3 countries—USA, China, and France—had accumulated 75 medals. But by Day 5 of the Paralympics, China alone had already surpassed 80 medals. This sharp difference is due to the numerous categories within the same event at the Paralympics, resulting in a higher distribution of medals. 🌍 The leading countries in the Olympics—China, USA, Great Britain, France, Italy, Australia, and the Netherlands—remain dominant in the Paralympics as well. However, two surprising entries shake up the top 10: Brazil and Ukraine, sitting in 4th and 5th place, have seemingly swapped places with Japan and South Korea, who are now out of the top 10. 🔍 In the coming days, I’ll explore whether these countries also had strong performances in previous Paralympics and whether there’s a discernible trend in the strengths and weaknesses of countries across both the Olympic and Paralympic rankings. See it for yourself here: https://lnkd.in/eG8BQSzG #Paralympics #Olympics #SportsData #DataAnalysis #MedalCount #Paris2024 #DataVisualization #Evidencedev #dbt #analytics

Since 1960, the Paralympic Games have challenged notions of disability, and what began as a movement with just 400 athletes, has grown to 4,400 across 22 sports. Outstanding performances from Paralympians like Natalie du Toit, the first amputee swimmer to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Abdellatif Baka, a visually impaired runner who not only broke the 1500m T13 world record, but ran it 1.71 seconds faster than the Olympic gold medallist that same year, help prove to the world that firsts go beyond the podium. Explore #TheFirstEffect and see the impact firsts at the Olympic and Paralympic Games have had on the world. https://deloi.tt/3WRg6A5