Published 03-08-24
Submitted by International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee news
Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Airbnb has announced that inspirational Para athletes Axel Allétru and Sofyane Mehiaoui will open up their accessible homes for two exclusive overnight stays during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
Allétru, a former motocross rider who became a European champion in Para swimming after being paralysed in a serious crash at the 2010 World Motocross Championships, will welcome up to two guests to his home in Lille Metropole on 10 August, before accompanying them to watch the men’s handball final on 11 August at Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
French wheelchair basketball star Mehiaoui, meanwhile, will open his Paris home to guests on 6 September, with the lucky visitors also receiving two tickets to the men’s wheelchair basketball final at Arena Bercy for the following day.
These truly unique, athlete-hosted stays underline Airbnb’s commitment to grow the number of homes with accessibility features ahead of the Games, and also align with Paris 2024’s vision to host “Games Wide Open” that are accessible to all.
Highlighting Airbnb’s commitment to inclusive travel, each of the homes will also be featured in the company’s Adapted Category, which includes more than 1,100 listings worldwide with verified step-free entry to the home and at least one accessible bedroom and bathroom, plus at least one accessibility amenity in the bathroom.
“Airbnb is thrilled to collaborate with Axel Allétru and Sofyane Mehiaoui,” said Suzanne Edwards, Airbnb’s Head of Accessibility Hosting Standards. “With the Olympic Games returning to France after a century, our goal is to foster inclusivity and create a sense of community with these inclusive stays.”
Olympic and Paralympic fans can request to book these unique one-night stays – for up to two guests each – from 28 February by visiting airbnb.com/alexalletru and airbnb.com/sofyanemehiaoui.
Airbnb aiming for more accessible stays during Paris 2024
As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Airbnb is committed to ensuring all fans at Paris 2024 can enjoy a comfortable and inclusive Games-time experience and has been encouraging homeowners within the host regions to showcase their accessible homes on its platform.
Airbnb also launched a series of initiatives to assist new hosts who can offer accessibility features to potential guests, including the creation of new educational content, the organisation of regular webinars, and one-to-one guidance and tools.
In addition to initiatives focused on hosts and guests, Airbnb is supporting the Olympic Refuge Foundation and is the Inaugural Official Partner for the Refugee Paralympic Team for Paris 2024, offering scholarships to aid team members with training and living expenses on their Paralympic journey.
Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Airbnb
Airbnb is helping to create a new standard for hosting that will be a win for host cities, a win for spectators and fans, and a win for athletes.
International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a not-for-profit independent international organisation that is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 3.4 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.
As the leader of the Olympic Movement, the IOC acts as a catalyst for collaboration between all parties of the Olympic family, from the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the International Sports Federations (IFs), the athletes and the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs) to the Worldwide Olympic Partners, broadcast partners and United Nations (UN) agencies, and shepherds success through a wide range of programmes and projects. On this basis, it ensures the regular celebration of the Olympic Games, supports all affiliated member organisations of the Olympic Movement and strongly encourages, by appropriate means, the promotion of the Olympic values.
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