The final ball of the 2024 Paralympic Games Para table tennis event was struck tonight at a packed South Paris Arena 4, leaving us with a mix of excitement and nostalgia for an unforgettable Parisian summer.
Over ten days of thrilling competition, Para table tennis was showcased like never before. Beyond the intense action on the court, the venue was alive with vibrant crowds, continuing the electric energy of the Olympic Games.
The French spectators made a last lasting impression in the ultimate session where the 21-year-old Lucas Didier from Le Chesnay, took the stage in a bid to win France’s first Para table tennis gold of Paris 2024. The event was truly extraordinary, not just through their numbers but by the unique atmosphere they created for the athletes.
Even as the holiday season ended and the school year resumed, fans flocked to the arena, filling the seats and generating a charged atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation. The community spirit was palpable, with passionate cheers resonating throughout, as spectators embraced the nuances and unique stories of Para table tennis.
ITTF President Petra Sörling expressed her gratitude, stating: “I want to thank the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for delivering such an outstanding event. Table tennis and Para table tennis shone incredibly bright during this dream summer in Paris. We’ve also seen increasing interest from broadcasters in Para table tennis, which shows the sport’s growing global appeal.”
The impact of Para table tennis was felt worldwide, with medals won by 31 National Paralympic Committees, and a multitude of inspiring stories. The Games began in spectacular fashion, with Fabien Lamirault lighting the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony. Historic firsts included the introduction of mixed doubles events, Najlah Imad Al Dayyeni making history for Iraq by securing the nation’s first-ever Paralympic medal in Para table tennis – a gold, Japan’s Natsuki Wada securing the country’s first-ever gold in a women’s event, while the Netherlands’ Kelly van Zon and China’s Feng Panfeng claimed their fourth and fifth consecutive golds, respectively. Adding to the excitement, Team GB’s 14-year-old sensation Bly Twomey clinched two bronze medals in Paris and Cuba’s Yunier Fernandez clinched the country’s first-ever gold.
This growing global appeal is also the fruit of successful development programme in non-traditional markets. Italy enjoyed its most successful Paralympic Games in table tennis since the inaugural Paralympic Games in Rome 1960, showcasing the results of a determined 20-year rebuild. Once a rising presence, Thailand has also established itself as a force to be reckoned with.
This exhilarating experience at Paris 2024 has elevated both table tennis and Para table tennis to new heights, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter at Los Angeles 2028.
Looking ahead, the ITTF is committed to maintaining this momentum with its dynamic Para table tennis series including 20 events, as well as the Continental Para Table Tennis Championships next year for which the ITTF Executive Board has selected the following host nations: Egypt, Brazil, China, Sweden, and New Zealand.
