# French parasport visibility and accessibility growth

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/french-parasport-visibility-and-accessibility-growth
> Updated: 2026-09-08T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Marie-Amélie Le Fur, president of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF), reported that the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have increased the visibility and accessibility of parasports. She noted a shift in media coverage from focusing on pathos to emphasizing athletic performance.

Data indicates that the number of clubs listed in the Handiguide has grown from approximately 1,500 to over 6,100, although a gap persists relative to the 180,000 total sports clubs in France. Locally, the Bastia Agglomeration Community inaugurated a sports village featuring adapted sports demonstrations, such as wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis, to promote accessibility for individuals with social and physical disabilities.

## Claims

- Football is the most popular sport in both Franche-Comté and Lorraine. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The growth in sports licenses is driven primarily by women and younger populations. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- In Franche-Comté, over 283,000 sports licenses were issued by federations in 2023. (single source)
- The number of sports licenses in Franche-Comté increased by 6.4% between 2022 and 2023. (single source)
- In Lorraine, more than 548,000 sports licenses were issued by federations in 2023. (single source)
- The number of sports licenses in Lorraine grew by 9.7% between 2022 and 2023. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Franche-Comté and Lorraine report rising sports participation

Sports participation is rising in France's Franche-Comté and Lorraine regions, with license numbers increasing by 6.4% and 9.7% respectively in 2023, driven by women and youth.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/franche-comt-and-lorraine-report-rising-sports-participation

### 2026-09-06: French parasport sees growth in visibility and club participation

Following the Paris 2024 Games, French parasport visibility has increased, with club numbers rising to over 6,100. Local initiatives in Bastia continue to promote sports accessibility through adapted activities

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-parasport-sees-growth-in-visibility-and-club-participation

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Cite as: French parasport visibility and accessibility growth. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/french-parasport-visibility-and-accessibility-growth