French parasport sees growth in visibility and club participation

Marie-Amélie Le Fur, president of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF), highlighted the lasting impact of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on the visibility and accessibility of parasports. She noted a significant shift in media narrative, moving from a focus on pathos to an emphasis on athletic performance. The number of clubs listed in the Handiguide has grown from approximately 1,500 to over 6,100, though a gap remains compared to the 180,000 total sports clubs in France.

On a local level, the Bastia Agglomeration Community inaugurated a sports village featuring demonstrations of adapted sports. Organized in collaboration with APF France Handicap, the event included wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis demonstrations to promote accessibility. Local officials emphasized that providing sports opportunities for individuals with both social and physical disabilities remains a priority for the territory.