The 2024 Paris Paralympics are set to commence on August 28 with a groundbreaking opening ceremony at the iconic Place de la Concorde. This year’s Games are poised to be the most inclusive and technologically advanced in Paralympic history, featuring a record-breaking 4,400 athletes from 167 national Paralympic committees.The Paralympic flame, originally lit at Stoke Mandeville in England – the birthplace of the Paralympic movement – has completed its journey across France. In a historic first, the flame will ignite a unique Olympic cauldron attached to a hot-air balloon, using water and electric light instead of fossil fuels. This innovative cauldron design underscores the event’s commitment to sustainability and technological progress.The opening ceremony promises to be a spectacular celebration of diversity and inclusivity. Creative director Thomas Jolly has choreographed a performance featuring 100 dancers, including 20 with disabilities, aiming to ‘celebrate all types of bodies through the universal language of movement’. This artistic choice reflects the Games’ broader mission to challenge and reshape societal perceptions of disability.Athletes from around the world are preparing to compete across 22 sports, with many inspiring stories emerging. The Refugee Paralympic Team, consisting of eight athletes and two guides, will represent over 120 million displaced people worldwide. Their participation sends a powerful message of resilience and hope. Meanwhile, nations like Brazil, India, and the United States are fielding strong teams with both veteran Paralympians and exciting newcomers.As the Games approach, organizers and athletes alike are emphasizing the transformative potential of the Paralympics. Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, stated that the event aims to ‘restore the issues facing disabled people to the top of the global priorities’. With over 1.9 million tickets sold and unprecedented live broadcast coverage, the 2024 Paris Paralympics are set to captivate a global audience and promote a more inclusive vision of sport and society.
Key points
- The 2024 Paris Paralympics will feature a record-breaking 4,400 athletes from 167 national committees.
- The opening ceremony will showcase a unique, sustainable Olympic cauldron and include performances celebrating diversity.
- The Refugee Paralympic Team will represent over 120 million displaced people worldwide.
- With 1.
9 million tickets sold and increased broadcast coverage, the Games aim to promote global inclusivity.
