Paris 2024 Handbook
Everything you need
in one place
Welcome!
Tēnā koutou katoa
It is with great pleasure and pride that I welcome you to the New Zealand Paralympic Team and to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. I am honoured to be your Chef de Mission, and extremely proud to lead such an inspiring team.
Congratulations on being selected to represent New Zealand and to have the opportunity to proudly wear the Silver Fern. The Silver Fern is widely representative of New Zealand and New Zealanders. It has come to embody the spirit of our nation, what we represent and is a powerful and emotional symbol of inspiration when it matters. This distinctly New Zealand symbol is considered a badge of honour by our people and it is a symbol of our country, being proudly worn by all those who represent our nation.
You are now someone who has earned this privilege, so wear it with pride and with your head held high. You have worked hard to deserve this honour.
Our team of 24 Para athletes across eight Para sports is a team of quality. It is such a diverse team with para Badminton representing New Zealand for the first time at these Games. There is a great mix of seasoned campaigners as well as new talent that will ensure that New Zealand will be well represented at future Paralympic Games. Your selection to the New Zealand Paralympic Team is the result of many years of commitment, perseverance, planning, training and focus - all leading to this event, so your selection is well earned. Many Paralympians have gone before you, back to the Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games. These proud Kiwis have paved the way which has resulted in the Paralympic Games as we see it today.
I would also like to welcome our Support Staff and congratulate them on their selection to the New Zealand Paralympic Team to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. They too have worked hard to be selected and have dedicated much of their time to ensuring that you, the Para athlete, is prepared the best that you can be to shine on the international stage.
This is the first time that a Summer Paralympic Games has been held in Paris, France, and it will be exciting to be part of the French culture especially after missing out on celebrating the culture of Tokyo, Japan. Paris is a beautiful city and it is important that you take the time to enjoy the experience. With the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games having over 100 hours of television coverage back home in New Zealand, you are set to inspire our country with your performances, and also to inspire future Paralympians to take up a Para sport with the aim of representing their country one day.
ONE TEAM, ONE SPIRIT
The ethos of the Paralympic Games goes beyond competition. Rooted in a vision of a more inclusive world, the Games foster a sense of community and celebration that resonates with audiences globally. Whilst the ultimate goal is to break records and win medals, it is more than that, YOU will be breaking barriers and changing perceptions.
On behalf of Paralympics New Zealand and the Paris 2024 planning team I hope that you will find this Handbook useful and a lasting memory of what I am sure you will find is a truly amazing life experience. I look forward to catching up with you all in one of the Games Villages in Paris and trust that your respective build up continues to track as planned.
Ngā mihi
Raylene Bates Chef de Mission, NZ Paralympic Team – Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
Letter of Support from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
Team Values
