2024 Paralympics defy Paris's persistent accessibility problems

Around 350,000 people with disabilities are expected to attend the 2024 Paralympics, which begin in Paris on August 28.

Charities that work with disabled people have warned that the city's transport system may not be able to cope.

Paris accessibility activist Franck Maille uses a wheelchair to move around the city. Maille is a former Paralympian who won four bronze medals in the swimming at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics and says he finds it far from easy to traverse the French capital.

He told CGTN that some areas around the city have been adapted for wheelchairs but not in a logical way, showing us a long, winding slope of mobility ramps. The ramps have no guard rails to stop a wheelchair user crashing down the flights of stairs.

"Here for example, if you have an electric wheelchair, it will be slow to come up but you can do it," he explained. "But with a manual wheelchair, believe me, when I have had to do it, it's really grueling because you have at least six ramps, which are enormous."

He added: "You do have space to rest between ramps, but it's really tiring."

Change is happening when it comes to public transport. The newest subway line has step-free access and future lines will be equipped with lifts, while the city's bus fleet is now fully accessible.

Despite these improvements, major problems persist on the Paris subway, as many stations have no lifts and no escalators.

‌The head of France's Paralympic Committee admits there are accessibility issues across the country but says improvements will be accelerated as a result of the Games.

"There have been changes that are beginning to last over time," explained Marie-Amelie Le Fur. "Now the idea is to spread these changes across the whole country."

She added: "From now on, when we think about the 'city of tomorrow' with 'neighborhoods of tomorrow', we really think of them as including people with disabilities."

Wheelchair basketball is one of the most popular Paralympic disciplines.

Mohammed, 22, has used a wheelchair since a life-changing accident when he was a teenager.

‌He is at home on the basketball court but says it's a different story off the court.

The smallest obstacle can prove problematic. Some sidewalks are too narrow and too steep - forcing Mohammed into the road. Other pavements are cracked and uneven.

He told CGTN: "Moving around is very complicated, whether it's on sidewalks or the road, and it's mostly the sidewalks - it's very annoying. Especially if you have a long journey in a wheelchair, it's really not simple, it's not simple."

‌But having the Paralympics in Paris has inspired Mohammed who says his ambition is to secure a place on the French squad for the next Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

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