The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games aim to leave a mark in history, as it will be the first time that the Paralympic events are held in France. The French capital is ready to welcome the 4,400 athletes who will participate in this competition. Significant innovations are expected, such as increased female participation, equal team quotas, and the protection of athletes with the most severe disabilities.

One of the sports set to stand out at Paris 2024 is road para-cycling. Initially, it was conducted as tandem cycling, with a sighted pilot at the front for visually impaired athletes. Since 1980, the sport has grown in all aspects, and since its debut at the pinnacle of sports in 1984, it has expanded the types of bicycles (one for each type of disability) and increased the inclusion of various disabilities. Additionally, it is divided into three types: Road race, time trial, and relay.

The bicycles vary according to the athletes’ disabilities. In individual competitions, standard racing bicycles are used, with some specific modifications according to the athlete’s needs. There is also the handcycle, which has three wheels and is powered by the upper limbs, used by athletes with spinal cord injuries or with one or both lower limbs amputated. On the other hand, tricycles are used by cyclists with motor dysfunctions and balance issues.

The eligible disabilities for the sport are those that limit the movement of the upper or lower limbs, the amputation of these limbs, and visual disabilities. Classification is done by letters corresponding to the type of bicycle: H = Handcycle, T = Tricycle, C = Cycle, VI or B = visual impairment or blindness. Additionally, numbers are used, with 1 being the most severe disability and 5 the least severe.

Clichy-Sous-Bois will be the starting and finishing point for the road para-cycling events, which will take place from September 4 to 7.