The 2024 Paralympic Games officially commenced in Paris on August 28, 2024, with a groundbreaking opening ceremony that took place in the heart of the city. Breaking from tradition, the event was held outdoors, with 4,400 athletes from 184 delegations parading down the iconic Champs-Élysées to the Place de la Concorde. This unique setting allowed approximately 50,000 spectators to witness the spectacle for free, marking a significant departure from previous stadium-based ceremonies.French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Games open, setting the stage for 11 days of competition across 22 sports. The ceremony, which lasted over three hours, was a vibrant celebration of inclusivity and athletic excellence. It featured performances by artists both with and without disabilities, including French singer Lucky Love, who was born without a left arm.International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons expressed his vision for the event, stating, ‘The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when the barriers to succeed are removed’. He added, ‘I hope that here, the spark of the Inclusion Revolution will be ignited’, emphasizing the Games’ potential impact beyond sport.The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Paralympic flame, symbolizing the official start of the Games. Five athletes, including Fabien Lamirault, Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Élodie Lorandi, Alexis Hanquinquant, and Nantenin Keïta, had the honor of lighting the cauldron.With nearly 2 million of the 2.5 million available tickets already sold, the Paris Paralympics are poised to be one of the best-attended in history. The competition begins on August 29, with medals to be awarded in taekwondo, table tennis, swimming, and track cycling.
Key points
- The 2024 Paralympic Games opened with an unprecedented outdoor ceremony in central Paris.
- 4,400 athletes from 184 delegations participated in the parade down the Champs-Élysées.
- International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons called for an ‘Inclusion Revolution’ beyond sports.
- The Games will feature 22 sports over 11 days, with high ticket sales indicating strong public interest.
