Record interest in LA28 Paralympics

When World Sailing submitted its application on July 4, 2022 to return Sailing to the Paralympic Games for Los Angles 2028, it was the end of a long journey. It was January 2015 when the International Paralympic Committee revealed that Sailing would not be part of Tokyo 2020, and ever since the sport has recognized its shortcomings and pursued solutions to seek reinstatement.

Sailing was introduced at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games as a demonstrative sport, using the triplehanded Sonar, and then became a medal sport at the Sydney 2000 Games. The singlehanded 2.4mR and doublehanded SKUD 18 were added for the Qingdao 2008 Games, with all three non-gender specific events held at London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games.

While reinstatement did not occur for Paris 2024, there is full optimism the drought will end at the 2028 Paralympic Games. However, that sentiment may be held by other sports following this report by inside the games:

There are a record 33 applications in place for sports to feature at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.

Ten International Federations have applied to join the Paralympic program, plus World ParaVolley wants beach ParaVolley to accompany sitting volleyball there. Applications have been cast for each of the 22 sports on the Paris 2024 program to remain in place for Los Angeles 2028, taking the total of hopefuls to 33.

Governing bodies for arm wrestling, sport climbing, golf, karate, cerebral palsy (CP) football, powerchair football, dance sport, sailing, surfing and wheelchair handball have all applied.

“To receive a record 33 submissions to be part of the LA28 Paralympic Games sport program underlines the growing strength of sports within the Paralympic Movement,” said Colleen Wrenn, the IPC’s chief Paralympic Games delivery officer.

“Our goal for the LA28 Paralympic Games is to shape a competitive and attractive sport program that showcases the diversity of the Paralympic Movement.

“The Paralympic Games is the world’s most transformational event, and we firmly believe that the LA28 Paralympics will be a real game-changer for the Paralympic Movement in terms of awareness, profile and impact. It’s vital therefore that the Paralympic sport program showcases the best of what our Movement has to offer.”

Sailing and CP football were both on the Paralympic program previously and last appeared at Rio 2016. Wrestling for athletes with visual impairments featured in the 1980s. All of the other applicants – except for the existing Paris 2024 sports – have never before appeared at a Paralympic Games.

The IPC Governing Board is expected to finalize the sport program for Los Angeles 2028 in late January 2023.

Archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, canoe, cycling, equestrian, blind football, goalball, judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, table tennis, triathlon, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair tennis are all on the Paris 2024 program.

The 22 sports also all featured at Tokyo 2020, with taekwondo and badminton making their Paralympic debuts.