Caroline Groot (Netherlands) won the first gold medal of the Games. She finished the 500m track cycling time trial event in the C4-5 category in 35.390 seconds, setting a new world record.

Team USA’s Oksana Masters continued her reign as one of the greatest multisport Paralympians in history. She claimed gold in the H4-5 para-cycling individual time trials, bringing her total to eight golds and 19 Paralympic medals overall.

Brazilian twins Beatriz and Débora Carneiro shared the 100m SB14 breaststroke podium after winning the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Zakia Khudadadi was the first Afghan woman para taekwondo athlete to win a Paralympic medal in Paris. She claimed bronze in the 47kg K44 category, marking the first-ever medal for the Refugee Paralympic Team.

USA’s sitting volleyball team won their third consecutive Paralympic gold after victories at the 2016 and 2020 Games. They have medaled at every Paralympics since the sport was introduced for women in 2004.

The USA Para Equestrian Team also made history, winning their first team gold. Roxanne Trunnell became the most decorated para-equestrian athlete ever with two golds in Paris, while Rebecca Hart and Fiona Howard contributed to the record-breaking team performance.

Yui Kamiji and Manami Tanaka made their mark in wheelchair tennis, winning gold in the doubles event and becoming the first Japanese women to achieve this milestone at the Paralympics.

Rayane Soares da Silva also made history, smashing a 29-year-old world record to win the women’s 400m T13 Para athletics final. She finished in 53.55 seconds, surpassing the previous 54.56-second record set at the 1995 Games.

Guo Lingling took para weightlifting by storm, breaking her own world record twice in the up to 45kg category. She lifted 122kg and 123kg to secure her first Paralympic gold.

13-year-old Iona Winnifrith won silver in the 100m SB7 breaststroke event for Team Great Britain. She was among the youngest competitors at the Games this year.

At the closing ceremony, officials handed the Paralympic flag off to the hosts for the upcoming LA2028 Paralympics, effectively ending the 2024 Summer Games and passing the torch over to Los Angeles for 2028.

Nike and the U.S. Paralympic Committee launched the GameOn program, designed to expand their talent pipeline. They will offer work experience, internships, and seminars specifically focused on para-athletes. The program aims to break down barriers and provide career opportunities at their world headquarters.