EXCITEMENT is building as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Paralympics marking a historic first for the city.
With a range of dynamic new sports and state-of-the-art venues, the Games promises to deliver a thrilling and inclusive experience.
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Where is the 2028 Paralympics taking place?
The 2028 Paralympics will take place in Los Angeles, California, USA from August 15, 2028, to August 27, 2028.
This event will follow the 2028 Summer Olympics, which Los Angeles will also host.
Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said: “With set dates in hand, Los Angeles is ready and excited to host the Olympics for the third time and the Paralympics for the first time in history.
“The Games represent a once in a lifetime opportunity for LA — a bold investment throughout our communities with equity and progress as the main focus.
“This will bring vast opportunity into every corner of the city ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations of Angelenos.”
Here are some of the venues for the Paralympic Games:
- Downtown Sports Park will host a variety of events, including para swimming, para badminton, para cycling (road), wheelchair rugby, Boccia, para athletics, and para powerlifting.
- Long Beach Sports Park will be the site for the para triathlon.
- South Bay Sports Park will feature para cycling (track), wheelchair tennis, and blind football.
- Valley Sports Park will host shooting para sport and para equestrian events.
- Lake Perris will be the venue for para canoeing and para rowing.
- LA Stadium will be the location for the opening and closing ceremonies.
What new sports will be at the 2028 Paralympics?
At the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, paraclimbing will be making its debut as a new sport.
This marks an exciting addition to the Paralympic program, bringing the total number of sports at the 2028 Games to 23.
Paraclimbing is a fast-paced and exhilarating sport that has already gained popularity, particularly following the introduction of climbing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The decision to include paraclimbing in the Paralympic Games was made by the LA28 organising committee, which chose between paraclimbing and parasurfing as potential new sports.
IPC president Andrew Parsons said: “Paraclimbing is a fast-paced, exhilarating sport that I am sure will attract new audiences to the Paralympic Games.
“You only have to see the sport’s impact on the Olympic Games programme to understand this.”
What is paraclimbing?
Paraclimbing is a form of rock climbing adapted for athletes with physical, sensory, or neurological disabilities.
It allows individuals with various disabilities to participate in climbing by using specialised equipment, modified techniques, and support systems tailored to their needs.
Paraclimbing competitions use a classification system to group athletes based on their type and level of disability.
Common categories include visual impairments, amputations, and neurological conditions.
This ensures fair competition among climbers with similar abilities.
Adaptations can be made to the climbing route or equipment depending on the climber’s needs.
For example, climbers with limited grip strength may use specialised holds, or those with visual impairments may rely on verbal guidance from a coach or partner.
Similar to traditional climbing, paraclimbing competitions often include lead climbing (climbing with a rope attached), bouldering (short, challenging routes without ropes), and speed climbing.
