Paralympians and Para athletes continue to show the world the incredible power of sport and sportsmanship. As a platform where authenticity and creativity thrive, TikTok are proud to foster a community that’s passionate about breaking down barriers, changing perceptions, and making a positive impact on the daily lives of the world’s 1.3 billion people with disabilities bound by a shared love of sports.
In tandem with the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, TikTok have teamed up with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to engage global audiences in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and further the development of Para sport globally. In the UK, as the official partner of ParalympicsGB, TikTok have been running bespoke content workshops for ParalympicsGB athletes. During the Games, there will be a purpose-built content creation space at the ParalympicsGB House to help athletes use TikTok to engage with new audiences, build their personal fanbases and champion change for people with disabilities.
From now until the Closing Ceremony on September 8, TikTok will release a series of exclusive content through TikTok LIVE, including only-on-TikTok viewpoints of the opening and closing ceremonies, tours of event venues, interviews with Paralympians, friends and family of athletes, fans, and more. All while allowing the TikTok community to participate in the fun through exclusive gifts with donation opportunities.
Here’s how you can get involved!
Give back with TikTok LIVE gifting
TikTok LIVE allows the community to engage with creators they are passionate about in real-time. TikTok say that they are excited to empower users in new ways, allowing them to support the IPC’s global Para sport development programmes, which aim to increase opportunities for persons with disabilities to experience the transformative power of sport and physical activity.
Together with the IPC, TikTok are launching limited-edition Phryge Gifts. Inspired by the iconic Phrygian cap, the Paralympic Phryge brings this iconic symbol into the world of sports. Viewers worldwide can tune into the @paralympics account to find exclusive Phryge Gifts during this period. And LIVE videos from creators in the UK and other select markets will also feature these limited-time gifts. For every Phryge gift sent, TikTok will donate to the IPC’s Para sport development programmes.
Can’t miss exclusive Paralympic Games content
The @paralympics account will host tons of exclusive content from unique looks at the opening ceremony, on-the-ground tours of competition venues, interviews with athletes and fans, and more! Make sure to follow @paralympics account for outstanding sporting moments!
The exclusive content doesn’t stop there. You’ll also be able to see some of the most popular Paralympic athletes and creators on TikTok LIVE, like @arthurbaucheron, @jessicajaneapplegate, and @zbojones providing a firsthand look at the experience on the ground at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Check them out by visiting our in-app hub here <hyperlink to local LIVE page>!
Users must be 18 and over to go LIVE on TikTok – you can read more about LIVE gifting here.
Advocating para movement on TikTok
Since 1989, the IPC has led the Paralympic Movement, overseeing the delivery of the Paralympic Games and supporting members to enable Para athletes to achieve sporting excellence.
The @paralympics TikTok account has amassed nearly 4.5m followers with 168m likes, and #Paralympics has garnered over 40k posts, showcasing the impact of diverse discussions and interest from the TikTok community in Paralympic sport.
Check out some of the popular Paralympic sports that have inspired the TikTok community and Paralympians to get you excited about the upcoming Games!
Paralympic sports loved by the TikTok community
- Wheelchair Basketball (7.9k posts)
- Wheelchair Rugby (5.1k posts)
- Boccia (3.6k posts)
Paralympic athletes you can’t miss!
Kadeena Cox: (@kadcozofficial: 315.3k followers)
- Kadeena is a British sprinter and cyclist who has won four Paralympic gold medals. Her TikTok features a mix of her personal and professional life from her favourite recipes and behind-the-scenes moments to her personal journey to Paris 2024 and raising awareness about multiple sclerosis.
Oliver Lam-Watson (@oliverlamwatson: 35.8k followers)
- Oliver, a double British Paralympic medallist in wheelchair fencing, shares his journey as an athlete, focussing on his training, competition and Paralympics kitting out.
Robyn Love: (@robyn_love13: 16.1k followers)
- Robyn is a British wheelchair basketball player and advocate for women in sports and LGBTQ+ rights. She shares her family life on TikTok, being a mother whilst training and behind the scenes content as a Paralympian.
We’re immensely grateful that TikTok through its LIVE platform will help raise funds which the IPC will then invest into Para sport development programmes around the world, helping to create and support the next generation of Paralympic athletes.
TikTok has quickly established itself as the IPC’s largest social platform for engaging global audiences and we are really excited to deepen our relationship with them for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Engaging Generation Z and Millennials is a top priority for us, and during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games they are in for a real treat as we’re going to be showcasing a whole host of sporting action and athlete content in the unique and engaging way the @Paralympics TikTok account has become known for.
For Paris 2024 we will be sticking to the winning content formula that has led to such global engagement – showcasing the best performances, highlighting the nuances of Paralympic sport, and featuring the ups and downs that come with being a high-performance athlete.
– Mike Peters, CEO, International Paralympic Committee
At TikTok, we’re passionate about bringing people together through shared experiences, and our partnership with the International Paralympic Committee is a perfect example of this. With TikTok LIVE, we’re offering our global community an unprecedented opportunity to engage with the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in real-time, all while supporting the growth and development of Para sport worldwide. It’s inspiring to see the creativity and enthusiasm of our users as they come together to celebrate these incredible athletes and contribute to a cause that has the power to change lives.
– Adam Wang, Head of TikTok LIVE
