ISB Prepares for the 2024 Paris Paralympics: Broadcasting Excellence To Global Audiences

International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) is set to showcase the Paris 2024 Paralympics, covering the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and a range of sports including para-athletics and wheelchair rugby. Despite last-minute allocations and tight schedules, ISB is assembling diverse teams and preparing to deliver an engaging broadcast, reflecting their commitment to inclusive and high-quality coverage.

After successfully handling its duties during the 2024 Paris Olympics, International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) is preparing for yet another significant event—the Paris Paralympics. ISB will play a crucial role in bringing the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as a range of Paralympic sports, to screens worldwide.

Ursula Romero, ISB’s managing director, expressed her excitement: “Now we’re gearing up for the Paralympics, so we have to get another lot of energy ready!”

Extensive coverage of paralympic events

ISB will have a substantial presence at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, handling the production of numerous key events. The company will produce the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, scheduled for 28 August and 8 September 2024 respectively, which will take place at the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées. In addition to these high-profile ceremonies, ISB will cover various sporting events including para-athletics, para track cycling, equestrian, para shooting, para archery, wheelchair rugby, and judo.

Ursula Romero, ISB’s Managing Director, remarked, “Now we’re gearing up for the Paralympics, so we have to get another lot of energy ready!” Ursula also noted the challenge of securing the right crew on short notice, saying: “Well, as late as one month before the Olympics, a little bit less actually. It was quite challenging just to get all the numbers [of the crew] together, because everyone was already so focused on the Olympics, so it was all a bit of a scramble, but we made it work.”

Production teams and gender balance

ISB’s production teams for the Paralympics will reflect the same commitment to diversity that characterised their Olympic coverage. The teams include:

• Team 1: Responsible for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Para-Athletics, led by Greg Breakell. This team features a diverse group of directors and producers.
• Team 2: Covering Para Track Cycling and Equestrian, directed by Koen Van Mourik with a mixed crew.
• Team 3: Para Shooting, led by Tahir Aliyev from Azerbaijan, supported by an international team.
• Team 4: Para Archery, directed by Vlad Onancea with a Romanian team.
• Team 5: Wheelchair Rugby and Judo, led by Javier Robledo with a Spanish team.

Ursula highlighted the importance of gender balance in their teams, stating, “We had a fairly large female team on the Olympics and now for the Paralympics, which was one of the prerogatives of OBS in that they wanted to push for more gender-equal teams.”

Challenges and expectations

Ursula discussed the challenges faced in preparing for the Paralympics on such a tight schedule, noting that many sports were allocated to ISB at the last minute. Despite these hurdles, she praised Josephine (Xiaofen) Hao, the broadcast coordinating producer from OBS, for her crucial role in organising the production plan.

Ursula also expressed her connection to the Paralympics, stating: “I am definitely ready and very much looking forward to the Paralympics, which has a very special place in my heart. Since I have been involved with the Olympics and Paralympics, I have always enjoyed the Paras more, and I want to make sure that my father’s legacy – he was a strong advocate for the Paras and the Paras gaining the same respect as the Olympic – is kept alive by producing beautiful and emotional pictures of the Paralympics.”

With the games set to begin on 28 August and run until 8 September 2024, ISB is preparing to deliver a comprehensive and engaging broadcast of the Paralympics, capturing the inspiring stories of athletes and ensuring that the events are presented with the respect and dedication they deserve.