![France’s Paralympic torchbearers hold the Paralympic flame in front of the Paralympic cauldron [Franck Fife/AFP]](https://obasanjonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Frances-Paralympic-torchbearers.jpg)
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games began with a vibrant and celebratory opening ceremony, marking the start of the international event with festive flair and excitement.
After recently hosting the Olympics, Paris has kicked off the 2024 Paralympics by conducting an opening ceremony lasting almost four hours in downtown.
With the setting sun providing a stunning backdrop, countless athletes marched down Paris’ iconic Champs-Elysees boulevard towards Place de la Concorde in the heart of the city. On Wednesday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron officially inaugurated the Paralympic Games amidst this breathtaking spectacle.
Despite the presence of around 15,000 law enforcement personnel on site to ensure security, there was a pleasant summer ambiance in the evening as the sun gradually descended over Paris.
“Hello athletes! We welcome you to the land of love and revolution. This evening, there will be no chaos or violence like Storming of the Bastille or guillotine. Instead, tonight marks a beautiful uprising – The Paralympic Revolution,” declared Tony Estanguet, President Paris 2024 in his address.
A transformative and pleasant revolution awaits, ready to profoundly alter us all.
Beginning at the base of Place de la Concorde’s obelisk, Chilly Gonzales – a Canadian musician, songwriter and producer – opened the live show on piano.
A group of artists who have disabilities and impairments enthusiastically shouted out a countdown while French singer Christine and the Queens performed an upbeat version of Edith Piaf’s famous song, “Non, Je ne regrette rien.”
The 168-delegation athletes’ procession commenced in a joyous ambiance, eliciting cheers and dances from the volunteers.
Around 50,000 spectators attended the event held in stands constructed around Paris’ most extensive and recognizable square. Known for its ancient Egyptian obelisk that can be seen from a distance, accessibility was made possible for wheelchair athletes by laying asphalt strips on the avenue leading to the area as well as across it.
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Beginning Thursday and continuing through September 8th, over 4,000 athletes with physical disabilities as well as those facing visual or intellectual impairments will participate in a total of twenty-two sporting events.
Similar to the opening of the Olympics in July 26, the inaugural event was conducted outside a traditional stadium. A group of fighter planes soared overhead and emitted red, white, and blue vapors which mirrored France’s national flag colors. Subsequently, delegations arrived at the square aligned according to their alphabetical order.
There was a vast contrast in the size of delegations, with Brazil sending over 250 athletes while Barbados and Myanmar only had less than five and three delegates respectively.
The French made a late arrival and were greeted with cheers from the crowd, who joined in singing popular French tunes such as Que je t’aime by the iconic musician Johnny Hallyday.
The performance, helmed by Thomas Jolly – who also directed the Olympic opening ceremony – showcased an effortless fusion of singers, dancers and musicians with varying abilities. Together on stage they seamlessly projected a powerful message of inclusivity and overcoming physical barriers.
Lucky Love, a French singer born without his left arm, collaborated with wheelchair-bound artists while other performances included dancers utilizing crutches.
The President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, expressed his desire for the Paris Paralympics to inspire an “inclusion revolution” that extends beyond just sports.
In a speech, he stated that the Paralympic Games of Paris 2024 will highlight the capabilities of individuals with disabilities when impediments to success are eliminated.
In 2024, it is startling that such chances are mainly found in sports. This shows the need for more efforts to promote disability inclusion not only on playing fields but also in schools, music venues and corporate settings.
Despite the 8pm (18:00 GMT) local time start of Wednesday night’s show, fans arrived hours early under scorching sun to secure prime positions. While performers kept up lively entertainment on stage, volunteers grooved alongside Paralympians with their national flags waving proudly; and all this happened while a picturesque orange glow filled the sky.
Despite the pouring rain during last month’s Olympics opening ceremony, spectators along the Seine river remained undeterred in their enthusiasm. Fortunately, no security glitches occurred; however, there was controversy surrounding a tableau that appeared to be a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Former Olympic wheelchair tennis gold medallist Michael Jeremiasz carried the Paralympic torch into the area surrounded on stage by dozens of torchbearers as the ceremony came to a close.
The Olympic cauldron, resembling a hot air balloon with a golden glow at night, was lit by five Paralympians from France.
The emblem of the Paralympic flag was displayed atop the Arc de Triomphe, which stood approximately three kilometers (two miles) away as it soared into the night air.
Christine and the Queens closed out the ceremony with a rendition of Patrick Hernandez’s 1978 hit “Born to be Alive,” followed by an explosive fireworks display, all before Serge Gainsbourg’s classic tune “Je T’aime Moi Non Plus” filled Place de la Concorde.
On Thursday, the initial medals will be awarded in table tennis, taekwondo, swimming and track cycling with athletes classified by their impairments to ensure fair competition.
At the national stadium, Stade de France, the closing ceremony is scheduled to take place.
