Revamp leaves village more accessible

Paralympic athletes arrive to find living space optimized to let them focus on competing

- TOM NOUVIAN

SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE Just days before the start of the Paralympic Games, the athletes village was buzzing with activity Saturday as athletes from 168 delegations were settling into their temporary home, preparing for their upcoming competitions.

The village, nestled in the northern suburbs of Paris, in the SeineSaint-Denis department, closed its doors Aug. 13 after the conclusion of the Olympic Games, giving organizers a week to make necessary adjustments for the upcoming Paralympics.

Laurent Michaud, head of the Paralympic Village, discussed the rapid yet meticulous transformation. The village had been built with inclusivity in mind from the start, but this final week was crucial for finetuning details to ensure that every aspect was perfectly suited to the athletes’ needs.

“All roadways, sidewalks and access points are fully accessible for people with reduced mobility. It is a 100 per cent accessible village,” he said.