Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Open with Spectacular Ceremony on Champs-Elysees

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games began with a spectacular opening ceremony as athletes paraded down the iconic Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde, celebrating under perfect summer conditions. This marked a historic moment, as the ceremony, like the Olympic Games, was held outside of a stadium for the first time in Paris.

The main event took place at Place de la Concorde, located in the heart of the city. This was preceded by a grand parade along the Champs-Elysees, starting from the famous Arc de Triomphe. Organizers estimated that 65,000 people would attend the event. Spectators were able to watch the parade for free, while the concluding open-air event at Place de la Concorde required tickets.

This Paralympic Games is a milestone for France, as it is the first time the country has hosted a summer Paralympic Games. The sporting events kick off on Thursday, marking the start of 11 days filled with athletic action. Around 4,400 athletes from a record 168 delegations are expected to participate in 22 Paralympic sports, competing for a total of 549 gold medals in Paris.

Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, described the opening ceremony as the beginning of “the Paralympic revolution” led by the athletes. He expressed admiration for the athletes, stating, “What makes you revolutionaries is that, when they told you ‘no’, you continued.” He continued, “Tonight, you are inviting us to change our perspectives, change our attitudes, change our society to finally give every person their full place. Every emotion that you make us feel will carry a message that will never be forgotten: You have no limits, so let us stop imposing limits on you.”

The French delegation received a warm welcome at the Place de la Concorde, underscoring the ceremonial theme of a Paralympic ‘revolution’ that began in grand style. Artistic director Thomas Jolly had promised a spectacle that would highlight the Paralympic athletes and the values they represent. The choice to hold the event at Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris, symbolized the city’s commitment to promoting inclusivity for people with disabilities.

While the Olympic Games saw athletes traveling on boats down the River Seine in heavy rain, the Paralympic Games’ opening ceremony enjoyed a bright and sunny evening, with the athletes parading down the Champs-Elysees under golden skies.

The delegations made their way from the Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde. French former Paralympic swimmer Theo Curin was a standout performer during the opening segment. He transported athletes in a taxi adorned with Phryges, the Paris 2024 mascot modified for the Paralympics with a running blade. Several artistic displays, featuring performers with disabilities, highlighted societal issues around inclusivity. A central theme was the paradox of a world that claims to be inclusive but is still full of prejudice.

The Patrouille de France aerial display released blue, white, and red smoke to represent the Tricolore before the athletes arrived. French singer Christine and the Queens performed on the main stage at Place de la Concorde. The ceremony featured numerous artistic performances that set the stage for the event.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in attendance, greeting the ParalympicsGB delegation as they arrived in a celebratory atmosphere. Athletes entered the venue against the stunning backdrop of a setting sun behind the Arc de Triomphe. Wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker and wheelchair basketball player Terry Bywater carried the British flag for ParalympicsGB, having been chosen as flagbearers by their teammates.

For the host nation, sprinter Nantenin Keita and Para-triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant had the honor of carrying the French flag. As the final delegation to enter Place de la Concorde, they were met with enthusiastic applause and a rendition of “Les Champs-Elysees.”

Following speeches from Tony Estanguet and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons, French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Games open. Parsons remarked, “The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show persons with disabilities what they can achieve at the highest level. The fact that these opportunities largely exist only in sport in the year 2024 is shocking. It is proof that we can and must do more to advance disability. That is why 225 years on from when Place de la Concorde was central to the French Revolution, I hope that Paris 2024 starts a Paralympic revolution – the inclusion revolution.”

Twelve Paralympic champions participated in the flame parade, which concluded at the Jardin des Tuileries. There, the cauldron was lit by flagbearers Keita and Hanquinquant, alongside Charles Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault, and Elodie Lorandi. The ceremony concluded with the cauldron being lifted into the sky, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

The Paralympic Games promise exciting competitions ahead, with IPC president Parsons predicting that Paris will host “the most spectacular Paralympic Games ever.” So far, two million tickets have been sold, with about 500,000 still available. Many venues from the Olympic Games are also being used for the Paralympics. Athletics will take place at Stade de France, swimming at La Defense Arena, wheelchair tennis at Roland Garros, and Para-equestrian events at the Chateau de Versailles.

The Para-triathlon will be held in central Paris, with the swimportion taking place in the River Seine. This comes after the men’s Olympic triathlon had to be delayed due to poor water quality.

As with the Olympics, Russia and Belarus are banned from participating due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, although some athletes from these countries are allowed to compete as part of the Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) delegation.

For the first time, Eritrea, Kiribati, and Kosovo will be represented at the Paralympics, and eight athletes will compete as part of the Paralympic Refugee Team. Team ParalympicsGB will feature 215 athletes with a target of winning between 100 and 140 medals, as set by UK Sport.

The Games will be broadcast in the UK on Channel 4, with BBC Radio 5 Live providing commentary, updates, and dedicated programs. The BBC Sport website will also offer daily live text commentary.

On the opening day, there will be 22 gold medals up for grabs, presenting numerous opportunities for ParalympicsGB to win medals right from the start.