Coinciding with 300 days to go Paralympics Ireland hosted ‘Perform at Paris’ an intensive two-day conference covering all aspects of Paris 2024 as the countdown to August 28th 2024 rolls on.
Coaches and practitioners from different para sports gathered on Friday at the Herbert Park Hotel to participate in a ‘Team Behind the Team’ workshop. This included performance solution conversations and a chance to get to know the Paralympics Ireland team.
On Saturday, athletes, coaches, support staff, practitioners, sponsors and board members were welcomed to the Aviva Stadium for the main conference.
Opening addresses from Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne and French Ambassador to Ireland, Vincent Guérend set the positive tone for the day which included a Paris 2024 overview, athlete panel and interactive sessions discussing Team Ireland culture and behaviors.
A new look brand identity and manifesto was also launched on Saturday in conjunction with Paralympics Ireland sponsor, Goosebump.
Paralympics Ireland Sport Director and Chef de Mission for Paris 2024 Neasa Russell said “Our Perform at Paris conference series confirmed to me the ambition, the drive and the professionalism of our high-performance athletes, coaches and support staff. The buzz in the room, the positive energy, the commitment to share, listen and learn were all hallmarks for me of the spirit of our Para Sport community; and how we, as Team Ireland, are ready to rise to the occasion of Paris 2024.
We have such a strong legacy of Paralympic success – and it was heartening to see the passing of this knowledge between the past, current and future generations of Paralympians and Paralympic Support Staff. Less than 300 days out from Paris 2024, this was a milestone event for us at Paralympics Ireland and I am confident that we step forward into the next year with a much better sense of how we will perform and who we will be as Team Ireland at Paris 2024.”
Paralympics Ireland CEO Stephen McNamara added “It was fantastic to see months of work come together to deliver a special event over two days. The Perform at Paris conference built on the multiple calls, online seminars and in person events that the team at PI have held over the past year – all of which are designed to ensure one Team Ireland.
The feedback across the weekend was superb, and we will take all the learnings and suggestions into the months ahead as we work together to continue to focus on the athletes. Working together we will build a culture and environment that will ensure that Paris 24 delivers a lifetime of memories for all involved.”
