Why do we have to wait 2 whole weeks for the Paralympics to start

I don’t know about you, but watching the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympics was like waking up from a two-week trance where I became a boxing enthusiast, rowing connoisseur, and Ilona Maher super fan. I laughed, cried and then cried some more as I watched so many dreams come true for so many amazing athletes. Luckily, we’ll get to experience another 12 days of these special moments when the 4,400 Paralympic athletes take to the stage, but that won’t happen for another two weeks. Why? There seem to be several reasons for the delay between the Olympic and Paralympic games, despite the fact that they take place in exactly the same place.

Historically, the two-week gap ensured workers had time to make the village and competition grounds more accessible to the thousands of athletes (and their assistance dogs!) who all have different disabilities, Craig Spence, director of brand and communications officer of International International. The Paralympic Committee, tells SELF. But thanks to progress in disability awareness and inclusion, everything is “designed with accessibility in mind for both the Olympics and Paralympics, so all the ramps and tactile floors are there from the start.” In fact, nothing needs to be added or changed to make the space more inclusive.

However, many competition venues need to be reconfigured for specific Paralympic sports, says Spence. For example, some goalball games — a sport for visually impaired players that involves throwing a ball with bells into a cage — will be played on the same site as some of the Olympic handball courts, which are about twice the size. Similarly, volleyball courts are larger than those for sitting volleyball, which is almost the same game but played with a lower net while sitting on the floor. (Though this year, these sports are held in different zones, so it’s not a problem.)

In addition, the area where the Olympic skateboarding, breaking and 3×3 basketball events were held must be completely dismantled, removed and rebuilt to host the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games on August 28, Spence says. And the famous Olympic rings must be removed and replaced with the Paralympic Agitos, which means “I move” in Latin and consists of three waves.

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