Antwahn Boyce-Vaughan presents Barbados at Paris Paralympics opening ceremony

Among the flag bearers proudly leading their nations at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, was one of the most inspiring para swimmers, Antwahn Boyce-Vaughan, representing Barbados.

The Paralympics Games began on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, with an unprecedented Opening Ceremony that had defied tradition by taking place in the centre of the French capital and far away from the main stadium. It was held at the historic Place de la Concorde, kick starting the 11 days of hardcore competition, athleticism and resilience.

Boyce-Vaughan, who is to be of age 24 year in the weeks, following the ceremony, will be competing his second ever Paralympic Games. His journey to this point is nothing less than remarkable. Having taken his first strokes less than four years ago, Boyce-Vaughan’s debut at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics saw him finish second in Heat 1 of the S9 Men’s 50m freestyle in a personal best time of 37.86 seconds.

This achievement has thereby given him pride and a place in the sporting history of Barbados, as the third and youngest athlete to represent the nation under the auspices of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC).

Barbados competed at Paralympic Games for the first time when Daniel Coulthurst took part in track and road cycling events at Sydney 2000. He competed at Athens 2004, taking part in events on the track and the road to give a platform for future generations of Barbadian competitors.

The island nation’s first aquatics competitor was David Taylor, who has represented the country in both the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics, competing in the men’s S9 50m freestyle and SB8 100m breaststroke.

French President, Emmanuel Macron was also present during the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Games, which was concluded with the light of the Paralympic cauldron, already having stolen the fancy of the city since its first appearance in the Olympics.

This added the sense of continuity, bound together with the rich history of the Paralympic movement. The Paralympic flame lit at Stoke Mandeville hospital in England, considered the birthplace of the Games, toured several French cities via the Channel Tunnel.

As competition continues at the Games, Boyce-Vaughan will head to La Defense Arena, where Barbadian swimmer, Jack Kirby competed in the Olympics just a month ago.

Of the 35 venues used for the Olympics, 18 will be used by the 2024 Paralympics, including the Grand Palais, which hosted Olympic fencing and taekwondo, and the Stade de France, on whose jarring purple track competition will occur.

The 2024 Paralympics in Paris will be an adrenalin-packed show with some world-class performances by both established stars and up-and-coming stars like Boyce-Vaughan.