The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony, where athletes paraded along the iconic Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde under perfect summer conditions. This marked the first time in Parisian history that the Paralympics' opening ceremony was held outside a stadium, following the precedent set by the Olympic Games. The main ceremony took place at Place de la Concorde, a significant site in the heart of the city, with an estimated 65,000 people in attendance. Spectators were able to watch the parade for free, while the subsequent open-air event required tickets.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics, France's first summer Paralympic Games, will feature 11 days of competition. Around 4,400 athletes from a record 168 delegations will compete in 22 Paralympic sports, vying for 549 gold medals. Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, emphasized the opening ceremony as the beginning of a "Paralympic revolution" led by the athletes, urging society to embrace inclusivity and to stop imposing limits on individuals with disabilities.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly had promised a ceremony that would highlight the values embodied by Paralympic athletes. The event at Place de la Concorde symbolized the city's commitment to inclusion for people with disabilities. Unlike the Olympic Games' rain-soaked parade on the River Seine, the Paralympic parade along the Champs-Elysees took place under golden skies. French former Paralympic swimmer Theo Curin led the opening segment, transporting athletes in a specially decorated taxi, while the Patrouille de France released blue, white, and red smoke of the Tricolore before the athletes' entrance.
The ceremony also featured artistic displays by performers with disabilities, addressing societal issues around inclusivity. French singer Christine and the Queens performed, adding to the vibrant atmosphere as the sun set behind the Arc de Triomphe. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the ParalympicsGB delegation, with flagbearers Lucy Shuker and Terry Bywater leading their team. Host nation France was represented by flagbearers Nantenin Keita and Alexis Hanquinquant, who entered to enthusiastic applause and a rendition of "Les Champs-Elysees."
Following speeches by Estanguet and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons, French President Emmanuel Macron officially opened the Games. Parsons highlighted the importance of the Paralympics in showcasing the capabilities of individuals with disabilities and called for broader societal change. The ceremony concluded with the Paralympic flame being lit at the Jardin des Tuileries and an impressive firework display.
The Paralympic Games are expected to be a major spectacle, with IPC president Parsons predicting them to be the most spectacular ever. Two million tickets have been sold, with 500,000 still available. Many Olympic venues, such as Stade de France for athletics and Roland Garros for wheelchair tennis, will also host Paralympic events. The Para-triathlon will take place in the heart of Paris, with the swim leg scheduled for the River Seine.
As with the Olympics, athletes from Russia and Belarus are banned due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, although some are allowed to compete under the Neutral Paralympic Athletes (NPA) delegation. Eritrea, Kiribati, and Kosovo will make their Paralympic debuts, while eight athletes will compete for the Paralympic Refugee Team. ParalympicsGB, with a team of 215 athletes, aims to win between 100 and 140 medals.
In the UK, Channel 4 will broadcast the Games, with BBC Radio 5 Live providing commentary and updates. The BBC Sport website will offer daily live text commentary. The first day of competition will feature 22 gold medal events, presenting ample opportunities for ParalympicsGB to secure medals.