The best behind-the-scenes moments from the Paralympians in Paris
The Paralympics may have come to an end, but we'll always be grateful to the athletes for bringing us along for the ride via their behind-the-scenes social posts.
Many of the Paralympians posted Instagram snaps and TikTok videos of what really goes on at the Village.
Read on for all the best behind-the-scenes moments the stars of Paris 2024 have shared on social media.
Watch every moment, every medal of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now. Plus, every event streaming ad free, live and on demand with 4K on Stan Sport.
Brenden Hall and Lewis Bishop
This photo was taken almost a decade ago; now, they are both Paralympic medallists.
In 2015, a young Lewis Bishop (right) met Paralympic champion Brenden Hall (left) at a Queensland hospital.
With matching prosthetics, Bishop was inspired by his encounter with Hall and became determined to follow in his footsteps.
"Being able to hold his gold medal was incredible. I remember saying to my parents, 'I'm going to get one of these," he told Children's Health Queensland.
Now the pair have recreated the image, each with new accessories.
Brenden Hall and Lewis Bishop
All grown up now, Bishop posed with Hall at the Paralympic Village after their bronze medal wins.
"From the hospital in 2015 with matching prosthetics to the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024 with matching medals," Dolphins Australia captioned the post.
It was a full circle moment for the Para-swimming athletes.
Speedo Macaroons
The treats in the Paralympic Village have been next level, and the sweet goodness continued 'til the very end.
These treats are a perfect mix of Aussie and French culture.
Speedos Australia and New Zealand provided the athletes with branded macarons.
Combining Aussie budgie smugglers with the iconic French treat- does it get much better than that?
On the way to the Paralympics closing ceremony
And just like that, after an exciting two weeks of competitions and plenty of medal wins, the Paralympics have come to an end.
Just as they did before the opening ceremony, Team Australia gathered together before making their way to the closing ceremony.
The vibes were high as they celebrated what was a brilliant campaign for the Australian athletes.
A full-circle moment
And it really was a full-circle moment.
During the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, athletes and supporters sported plastic ponchos as the rain bucketed down on them.
It seems only fitting they should do the same to close out the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
The rain poured down over Paris as the athletes, donning their plastic ponchos, attended the Paralympics Closing Ceremony.
A full circle moment
The rain didn't dampen the mood, though. The athletes appeared to be having the time of their lives despite the average weather.
Here, Brenden Hall is pictured having a little dance at the ceremony in the pouring rain.
After winning a bonze medal during the games, it makes sense that a little rain wouldn't get in the way of his celebrations.
The wait is over!
The wait is over!
Two weeks ago when Team USA athlete Ezra Frech arrived in Paris, he spotted the viral Olympic and Paralympic village muffin.
But he swore off trying it until he finished competing.
He has now well and truly smashed his competition, taking home two gold medals, and it was finally time to try the famous treat.
But was the decadent muffin as sweet as victory?
The wait is over!
The verdict is yes!
According to Frech, the muffin is spectacular and "tastes way better after gold".
Gold medal crepes
It's sweets all around for the gold medal winners.
Australian champion Alexa Leary scored two gold medals and two world records in her meteoric Paralympics debut and is now celebrating in French style.
Leary and her family joined Today Extra's Sylvia Jeffreys for some well-deserved crepes and Leary was over the moon.
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