Irish Examiner view: Paralympics challenge for athletes

This summer, there will be 4,400 competitors from 177 countries in 22 sports, with 549 gold medals there for the taking

Para-triathlete Judith MacCombe is one of the many athletes in Team Ireland participating in this year's Paralympics in Paris, France. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Ireland has long had a supportive relationship with participants in both the Paralympics and the Special Olympics, and this week is another opportunity for some of our most determined athletes to demonstrate what they are made of in Paris.

On Wednesday, the Paralympics — the competition which concentrates on individuals with physical challenges — will open in the French capital for 11 days, with an Irish team of 35 competing with the world’s best and bravest across nine different sports.