Paris, France — Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Summer Olympic/Paralympic Games in September 2013.

Six-and-a-half years later in March 2020, the Games were delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the first few months of 2021, Japanese officials planned as if the Games were happening despite major uncertainty. On July 8, barely two weeks before the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics, organizers made the decision to hold the Games without spectators. Every venue was empty. Events that are largely built off the crowd’s energy lost that foundation.

“It was completely bizarre,” said Bethany Zummo, a sitting volleyball player.

“You could hear a pin drop,” recalled Shawn Morelli, a para cyclist.

“It felt very isolating,” remarked Ellen Geddes, a wheelchair fencer.

In the Tokyo Games, Team USA brought home 104 medals. Among the golds won were men’s wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and the mixed 4X100 meter relay in athletics. Those sports, among many others, are accustomed to hearing crowd roars in big moments. Medal ceremonies certainly fulfill the “big moments” description. But that was for naught in Tokyo.

“It’s kind of an eerier feeling,” remarked Heather Erickson, five-time Paralympian in sitting volleyball.

“It was very weird,” said Brian Siemann, four-time Paralympian in athletics. “Even with the limited crowds that sometimes attend Paralympic events, having no one in the stadium was a very eerie feeling.

Three years later in Paris, those euphoric moments are back, and they feel better than ever.

“So loud, I cannot hear myself think,” proclaimed Zummo.

“The kind of energy you feel in here is way different,” said Byron Branch, a wheelchair fencer.

“You can’t even compare it,” remarked Oksana Masters, who’s competed in both winter and summer Paralympics. “Electrifying, everyone screaming and tapping on the sides.”

Every venue for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games has had its doors wide open for a full audience. Some in particular have space for particularly large crowds. For instance (capacities provided via Statista & Olympics):

North Paris Arena (Sitting Volleyball)- 6,000

Champ-de-Mars Arena (Wheelchair Rugby, Para Judo)- 12,860

Bercy Arena (Wheelchair Basketball)- 15,000

Place de la Concorde (Opening Ceremony)- 50,000

Stade de France (Para Athletics, Closing Ceremony)- 77,083

Fans have taken full advantage of those large capacities and then some. As of August 28, the day of the opening ceremonies, more than two million tickets were sold for the Paralympic Games, including almost a million since the Olympic Games began on July 24.

“A complete 180,” said Siemann.

“It’s really impressive,” expressed Chuck Aoki, wheelchair rugby captain. “Heartwarming to see and really a reminder of the power and energy the Games has and the spirit it has.”

Part of that spirit has come from the presence of young fans. The French school year began this past week, but many schools have taken advantage of the Paralympics and made them into field trips. North Paris Arena and Stade de France among others have hosted kids this week.

“They got to come on their first day of school and watch the Paralympic Games,” said Susannah Scaroni, a wheelchair distance athlete. “That’s going to do so much for the country of France, for all those kids, it’s really heartwarming.”

The return of fans from France and around the world, especially children, has been a welcome return to normalcy for Paralympic athletes. But having one particular set of fans in attendance has been particularly impactful on Team USA. That set of fans? Family.

“It was great having my husband out there yelling for me,” explained Morelli.

“It’s amazing to see my family in the stands, get their support always,” said Noelle Lambert, long jumper and sprinter.

“I had to run to find my husband and give him a hug and cry my eyes out,” recalled Samantha Bosco, minutes after winning a gold medal in para road cycling. “Then I found my parents and my really good friends that are here.”

Three years after not being allowed to attend the Paralympic Games, Team USA’s fanbase has shown out in full force and then some. It has set quite the standard for Los Angeles in 2028.