Paralympics 2024: Beautiful closing ceremony wraps up Canada’s return to form at the Paralympics Games

Team Canada capped off a triumphant return to form at the Paralympic Games on Sunday afternoon as the closing ceremony wrapped up the 2024 competition in Paris.

Canada’s 29 medals overall — including 10 gold medals, the most since winning 19 in Beijing in 2008 — far surpassed the 21 medals won three years ago in Tokyo, while matching the total from the Rio Games in 2016.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a massive affect on para sport in Canada and around the world. In Canada, restrictions during the pandemic made it all the more difficult for our para athletes to prepare for competition at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

“I would say it’s a bit of a bounce forward,” Canadian Paralympic Committee chief executive officer Karen O’Neill shared with the Canadian Press.

“This really is a crossroads for Canada because what we wanted to do was stop the downturn of our reduced performance, especially in summer sport, that’s been evidenced over the last couple of quads. COVID was tough for both our Olympians and Paralympians, but it was markedly tougher for our Paralympians because so many additional supports and services were not available.”

Team Canada’s Paralympians joined athletes from the other competing nations in Paris’ Stade de France on Sunday afternoon as the closing ceremony brought the 2024 Paralympics to a close. Here are some of our favourite photos from a visually-stunning closing ceremony.