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Built on the success of the two initial editions, the Swansea Para Sport Festival 2024 returned with an expanded programme combining participatory events with high-level competitive events.

From 8 to 13 July, the Para Sport Festival, organised by Disability Sport Wales, Welsh National Governing and/or British Governing Bodies of sport, Swansea Council, and local insport clubs, delivered high quality, accessible opportunities for disabled children, young people, and adults. Spectator and volunteer experiences were available in the following sports: physical disability rugby; para triathlon, boccia, shooting, judo, para table tennis, and wheelchair rugby. In addition, a massive Disability Insport Series was organised, providing inclusive sporting opportunities for disabled adults and young people across Wales. Insport series allow children to try new sports and gain confidence, meet other people with disabilities and engage in long-term sport practice.

Ahead of the week-long event, the kick-off was given by 2024 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea, a top-class event held on the waterfront on 22 June 2024, with several races all day, offered an incredible spectate and an opportunity for participants to take part across swim, bike, run, as a prelude to a great festival.

During an entire week, starting with an Opening ceremony with huge youth mass free participation, children and adults were given the opportunity to attend competitions and try new sports, the whole for free and in a festive atmosphere. Live performances, food and drink, as well as an event village, kept families and friends entertained all day long.

With the double objective to offer a great deal of elite para-athlete competitions and bring people, above all the youth to discovering parasport as a tool for integration and self-reliance, Swansea Para Sport Festival successfully contributes to changing the way we look at disability while highlighting the athletic and recreational dimensions of these sports. The festival format of the event – allowing more experiences, on a longer period and in various places of the city, accessible for free – appears to be particularly relevant and impactful.