Paris, August 28, 2024 – The Paralympic Games-2024 officially opened in Paris with a grand ceremony in the heart of the French capital, marking a historic moment in the modern Olympic movement. Over 4,000 athletes from 184 countries and regions gathered to kick off the Games, set to run until September 8.
Historic Location and Ideal Conditions
For the first time, the opening ceremony of the Paralympics was held not in a traditional stadium but in the center of Paris, following in the footsteps of the main Olympics. The Place de la Concorde, one of Paris’s most iconic squares, served as the backdrop for this unique event.
Unlike the torrential rain that dampened the opening of the Olympics in July, the Paralympics enjoyed perfect weather. The 32-degree daytime heat had subsided by the evening, leaving a cloudless sky as spectators began to fill the square hours before the ceremony.
A Grand Spectacle
The ceremony began with a powerful display as fighter jets flew over Paris, leaving trails of red, white, and blue smoke—the colors of the French flag. President Emmanuel Macron and International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons officially opened the Games.
Athletes entered the square in alphabetical order, with the Brazilian delegation standing out as the largest with over 250 participants. In contrast, Myanmar’s delegation consisted of just three Paralympians. The Ukrainian delegation received a particularly warm welcome, with many in the crowd rising for a standing ovation.
As the French delegation, the last to enter, made their way into the square, the crowd roared in unison to popular French songs. The atmosphere was electric, with volunteers dancing alongside the athletes and waving national flags against the backdrop of a stunning orange sunset.
Artistic Celebrations and Torch Relay
The artistic portion of the ceremony celebrated the resilience and strength of Paralympians. The event featured performances by 500 artists, including about 20 dancers with disabilities. French singer Lucky Love, who was born without an arm, performed on stage with other artists, including those in wheelchairs.
A highlight of the ceremony was the torch relay, featuring notable figures such as Chinese actor Jackie Chan, French actress and César Award winner Elsa Silberstein, astronaut Jean-François Clervois, and choreographer Benjamin Milpieu. The relay began on the Champs-Elysees and moved towards the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens, accompanied by an air show.
The national anthem played as the Obelisk in Place de la Concorde was illuminated in the colors of the French flag. The ceremony concluded with the Paralympic flame soaring into the sky in a golden balloon, officially signaling the start of the Games.
Competition and Categories
Over the next week and a half, athletes with various disabilities will compete across 22 sports. Competitors are categorized based on the degree of limitation caused by their impairments, with eight of the ten categories covering physical impairments, such as different leg lengths or missing limbs. The remaining two categories address visual and cognitive impairments.
As the Games begin, the world turns its attention to Paris, where these remarkable athletes will showcase their talent and determination on a global stage.
