The chief of 2024 Paris Games organizing committee has said he hopes views on people with disabilities will change through the Paralympics.

Tony Estanguet, three-time Olympic champion, spoke at a news conference on Monday, exactly one year before the opening of the Paralympic Games.

Up to 4,400 athletes are expected to compete in 22 sports and 549 events.

Estanguet said he is confident that the first Paralympics in Paris will be successful. He also said that officials will make their utmost efforts to create momentum for the Games by promoting para sports. The French capital has held the Olympics twice, in 1900 and in 1924. But the city will host the Paralympics for the first time.

The president of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, also attended the news conference.

The IPC president said spectators will return to the Games. He expressed hope the athletes will change the world from Paris. The previous Paralympics in Tokyo did not allow spectators in principle due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Alexis Hanquinquant, triathlon gold medalist at the Tokyo Games, told NHK after the news conference that he looks forward to sharing excitement with spectators. He called on people to come to Paris to watch the competitions.