LA28 Paralympics to host 560 medal events across 14 days
Los Angeles, May 27
The Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games organising committee has unveiled the full competition schedule, confirming more than 1,100 hours of action across 14 days, featuring 23 sports and nearly 20 venues within a 35-mile radius of the city.
According to the schedule released on Wednesday, the LA28 Paralympics will feature 560 medal events, making it the largest edition of the Paralympic Games in history in terms of both scale and participation, according to Olympics.com.
The Opening Ceremony is set to be held on August 15, 2028, while the Closing Ceremony will take place on August 27. Ticket registration for the Games will begin in 2027.
A key highlight of the 2028 Paralympics will be the debut of para climbing, which will be contested at the Games for the first time. It also marks the first sport ever added to the Paralympic programme by an organising committee.
In addition, three new medal events have been included in the schedule -- a women's para table tennis event, a para triathlon event, and a para swimming relay for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
With the expanded programme and record number of sports, LA28 is set to stage the biggest Paralympic Games ever held.
"The Paralympic Games are a must-see elite sporting event," said LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans, as quoted by Olympics.com.
"As the world's third-largest sporting event, they celebrate athletic excellence at the highest level, demonstrating relentless determination and the limitless potential and power of sport. With more sports and days of competition than ever before, LA28 is setting the stage for a legendary Paralympic Games."
"We have the opportunity to break barriers and redefine what the Paralympic Movement and disability representation can mean for the next generation," said LA28 VP of Paralympic Strategy and Relations Ileana Rodriguez.
"We have the chance to shine a brighter light on more Paralympians than ever before, and I cannot wait for fans everywhere to witness the extraordinary athleticism and unforgettable moments that their performances are sure to bring."
Women will account for 45% of athlete quota places at LA28, an increase from 42% at Paris 2024, marking the most gender-balanced Paralympic Games in history.
Six sports are also aiming to achieve full gender parity for the first time: para archery, boccia, para judo, para powerlifting, para table tennis, and para triathlon, reflecting a continued push towards equality in Paralympic competition.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's fantastic that para climbing is being added. I've been following the sport's growth, and this inclusion will inspire so many people with disabilities to take up climbing. The gender parity push is also commendable - 45% women participants is a significant step forward.
Good initiative, but why are ticket registrations starting only in 2027? For a mega event like this, accessibility should be planned well in advance. Many Indian fans, including myself, would like to plan early for travel and accommodation. Hope they open bookings sooner for international audiences.
The fact that women will be 45% of quota is brilliant. 😊 As an Indian woman, I feel this sets a great example for our own sporting ecosystem. Hopefully, this will encourage more girls with disabilities in India to take up sports professionally. We need better grassroots infrastructure too!
Los Angeles is a great host for this. The compact venue setup, with everything within 35 miles, will make it easier for athletes and fans to move around. I visited LA during the 1984 Olympics, and the city's infrastructure has improved massively. This Paralympics is going to be spectacular!
I'm curious about the para swimming relay for athletes with intellectual impairment - it's a great addition. But let's not forget, we also need more focus on mental health support for para athletes. The pressure to perform is immense, and India should learn from global best practices here. 🇮🇳
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