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Britain has finished in a remarkable second place in the medal table at the 2024 Paralympic Games, marking one of the nation’s most successful performances in the history of the competition.
The British Paralympic team brought home an astonishing total of 124 medals, including 49 golds, 44 silvers, and 31 bronzes, beating Team USA and cementing their place as one of the dominant forces in global para-sport.
China topped the medal table once again, but Team GB’s performance in Paris was celebrated as a testament to the athletes’ grit, determination, and world-class skill across a broad range of disciplines.
The final day of the Games saw British athletes shine in events like wheelchair basketball, athletics, and swimming, where Team GB has traditionally been strong.
Stand out performances include Hannah Cockroft, one of Britain’s most decorated Paralympians, adding yet another gold to her impressive tally in the T34 800 metres, further solidifying her status as a legend of the sport. Meanwhile, the swimming team delivered a flurry of medals, with Ellie Challis taking gold in the 100m backstroke S3 and Reece Dunn triumphing in the 200m individual medley SM14.
Team GB’s world-beating para canoe squad ensured that Paris 2024 ended on a high with four medals on the final day of competition. After four podium finishes on Saturday, the largest British canoeing team in Games history matched that haul to bring back eight pieces of hardware amid vicious crosswinds at Vaires-sur-Marne.
The success in Paris extended beyond individual performances. The men’s wheelchair basketball team, after a tense and closely fought match against the USA, secured the silver medal, adding to their proud legacy on the Paralympic stage.
Britain’s para-cyclists also contributed significantly to the medal count, with Kadeena Cox and Jody Cundy leading the charge with multiple podium finishes.
A spokesperson for Team GB said:
“This has been an extraordinary Games for our team. The athletes have not only showcased their talent, but they’ve also inspired the nation with their resilience and spirit. To finish second in the world is a phenomenal achievement, and every single member of this team should be incredibly proud.”
British Paralympians have long been celebrated for their contributions to the Paralympic movement, and the 2024 Games in Paris reaffirmed Britain’s leading role in advancing both para-sport and inclusivity in sport. The British team’s success follows on from similarly strong performances in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and the London 2012 Paralympics, where Team GB also finished among the top nations.
Fans back home were gripped by the performances, with large viewing figures recorded across the BBC’s extensive coverage of the Games. Social media was filled with messages of support and admiration for the athletes, with many calling for even more investment in para-sport to continue building on this success.
As the Paralympic flag is handed over to Los Angeles this evening, the host city for the 2028 Games, the British Paralympic team can look back on their achievements in Paris with immense pride, knowing they have once again raised the bar and inspired a new generation of para-athletes.
The Paralympic Games in Paris have been hailed as one of the most inclusive and inspiring editions yet, with record crowds turning out to witness incredible feats of sporting excellence. The success of Team GB has only added to the legacy of these Games, leaving the nation eagerly anticipating future triumphs in Los Angeles 2028.
The closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games will take place tonight at 8:30 PM local time (CEST) at the Stade de France in Paris. The event will celebrate the achievements of the athletes over the past 12 days and feature performances by 24 artists from the French electronic music scene.
Five-time Para-swimming medallist Poppy Maskill and Para-taekwondo gold medallist Matt Bush will carry the flag for Great Britain at this evening’s closing ceremony.
The ceremony will also include the traditional handover of the Paralympic flag to the next host city, Los Angeles, for the 2028 Games.
Photo: Seven-time Team GB Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball player Terry Bywater from Redcar and Wheelchair athlete Lucy Shuker from Verwood, Dorset who competed at her fifth Paralympic Games. Credit: ParalympicsGB/imagecomms
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