PARIS (AP) — La fin.
The 2024 Paralympic Games end on Sunday bringing the curtain down on a summer celebration of outstanding sporting achievements in Paris.
The French capital will bid adieu with what promises to be another spectacle for the closing ceremony after the Olympics' opening and closing ceremonies, and then the prelude to the Paralympics.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly has promised a giant dance party at Stade de France, the country’s national stadium. The Rouen native has dedicated two and a half years to creating the ceremonies, with much of the preparation taking place at night or in remote locations to maintain a degree of secrecy.
Artists with disabilities and dancers using crutches or wheelchairs will almost certainly feature on the dance floor.
“There will be choreographic sequences that will showcase the body,” Jolly told The Associated Press.
But first the last medals of the Games must be won.
Men and women’s marathons start in the morning, the United States women’s wheelchair basketball team is playing the Netherlands for gold in the afternoon, and there are finals too in para powerlifting, along with five races in para canoe.
Here’s a closer look at what to expect before the party begins at Stade de France:
The Unites States’ most decorated wheelchair racer, Tatyana McFadden, goes for her first gold of these Games in the women’s T54 marathon. The 35-year-old already has a silver from the women’s 100 and bronze from the 4x100 universal relay, but she was disqualified from the 400 on Thursday for wheeling out of her lane.
Switzerland’s Manuela Schaer, who won the 800, will provide a stern challenge in the marathon.
Marcel Hug of Switzerland is the favorite and defending champion in the men’s T54 marathon, though it won’t be a repeat of the clean sweep of golds from the 800, 1500 and 5000 that he won at the last Games in Tokyo. Hug finished on the podium after each of the other races in Paris but is yet to win a gold.
The T54 category is for competitors with spinal cord injuries who use wheelchairs to race and have no leg function along with normal hand and arm function.
There are also men and women’s marathons for racers with visual impairments in the T12 category.
The United States women’s wheelchair basketball team takes on defending champion Netherlands in the gold-medal game at Bercy Arena.
Rose Hollerman helped the U.S. to its semifinal win over China by scoring 20 points in the 50-47 victory and will be key to the American challenge.
Dutch experience helped seal progress against Canada in their semifinal. The Netherlands also won the last two world championships.
Canada will play China earlier Sunday for the bronze medal.
The drama of para powerlifting reaches a crescendo with four finals — two for men (up to 107kg and over 107kg) and two for women (up to 86kg and over 86kg).
Defending champion and world record holder Folashade Oluwafemiayo will start with a weight of 162kg in the women’s over 86 final — just 3kg less than her best mark from Tbilisi in Georgia in June.
Iran’s Ahmad Aminzadeh is starting with a weight of 253kg in the men’s over 107 final.
AP Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games
Tatyana McFadden of the U.S., celebrates before being informed she has been disqualified of the women's 400 m. T54 at the 2024 Paralympics, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
Tatyana McFadden of the US competes during women's 800 m. T54 final at the 2024 Paralympics, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
NEW YORK (AP) — The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards are over, with “Shogun” claiming the top drama prize and “Hacks” winning best comedy.
The hosts, father-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, opened the show Sunday night. They won Emmys at the 2020 awards for “Schitt’s Creek.”
“Shogun,” “The Bear” and “Baby Reindeer” were favorites going into the night. “Shogun” emerged with the top drama prize and “Baby Reindeer” snagged the limited series trophy. “Shogun″ extended its lead for most wins by a show in a single season, collecting 18 Emmys this year.
But “Hacks" emerged as the top comedy series, denying “The Bear” a comedy series repeat.
The Emmys are back in their traditional mid-September spot after a single strike-delayed edition in January.
The show began at 8 p.m., Eastern time, and is airing on ABC from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Here's the latest:
“I’m blessed with all the people around me who helped me make it happen. I kind of just feel a bit overwhelmed right now. I wasn’t expecting this,” Richard Gadd said backstage after his three wins for “Baby Reindeer.” “I’m just so glad that the show has touched the lives of so many people, and the Academy have acknowledged it in this way. It’s the greatest night of my life. What can I say?”
Gadd also initially declined to answer a question about the $170 million defamation lawsuit Netflix is facing for the show, but then spoke to its impact. The lawsuit comes from the woman who claims to be the inspiration for the series, which is based off of Gadd’s life and experience with a woman who stalked him.
“It’s easy in this day and age to focus on the negatives,” he said before saying the show has driven some viewers to donate to sexual assault and stalking-focused charities and has done “phenomenal things worldwide for so many people.”
Hiroyuki Sanada is the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for best actor in a drama.
“I am beyond honored to be here with amazing nominees,” he said. “‘Shogun’ taught me when we work together, we can make miracles. We can create a better future together.”
Sanada received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Anna Sawai is the first Japanese actor to win best actress in a drama. The actor, who is a first-time nominee, was tearful throughout her speech.
“I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” she said.
“This to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone,” she added.
“Shogun” also won best drama series.
John Oliver, who won scripted variety series for "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,'' said he was ‘honestly’ happy to get the cue to wrap up when he mentioned his dog during his acceptance speech.
“I’m not well versed in sincerity, as a British person and as a comedian, so I didn’t really want to get upset and thankfully, whoever was on that board, I think said, ‘You can’t carry this off’ and walked me straight into a joke. So, I’m very, very grateful that they gave me the parachute so I could avoid my feelings once more. But yeah, we had a great dog, and we had to say goodbye this week, and it’s brutal,” he said backstage.
In his acceptance, Oliver dedicated his Emmy to his recently deceased dog — and “all dogs.” He quarreled with the play-off music in a bleeped exchange.
Lamorne Morris, star of “Fargo,” is taking home his first Emmy award on his first nomination.
The “New Girl” star was clearly flustered as he accepted the award, saying he has a poster of fellow nominee Robert Downey Jr. in his house and asked him to sign it.
“My beautiful daughter, Lily. I love you. I told you I would do it. You’ve always doubted me,” he joked.
The breakout star from Netflix’s most recent season of “Bridgerton,” Nicola Coughlan added an Artists4Ceasefire red pin to her glittering off-the-shoulder gown. Coughlan has been outspoken in supporting Palestinians and calling for a cease-fire.
Actors across the award season have been wearing the Artists4Ceasefire red pin with a hand holding a heart to demand a cease-fire in Gaza and a release of the Israeli hostages.
Ahead of the premiere of the 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” on Sept. 28, cast members from the sketch show’s storied history have gathered for an unforgettable reunion.
Former members Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Seth Meyers joined current regular Bowen Yang onstage.
The segment leans into the January Emmys’ nostalgia-laden programming, which included Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presenting an award in the style of SNL’s famed “Weekend Update,” along with the casts of “Cheers,” “Martin” and other hit shows reuniting.
Jessica Gunning, who haunts as stalker Martha on “Baby Reindeer,” accepts the Emmy for her performance from a group of actors who have portrayed iconic villains in a fitting pairing. She got emotional as she thanked Richard Gadd, the star and creator of the series.
“I tried so many times to put into words what working on ‘Baby Reindeer’ meant to me and I fail every time,” she said. “It really means a lot. So, thank you, reindeer.”
“Today, a Republican vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. So, as they say, my work here is done,” Candice Bergen wryly said before presenting the lead actress in a comedy series award.
She was referring to her Murphy Brown character being attacked by then-Vice President Dan Quayle for being a single mom.
Her subsequent “meow” got a big laugh and applause from the audience, including Jon Stewart.
For more on this year’s Emmy Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/emmy-awards
Richard Gadd accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for "Baby Reindeer" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Hiroyuki Sanada accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Anna Sawai accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for "Shogun" during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Hosts Eugene Levy, left, and Dan Levy speak during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
