Paris 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony Begins
The Paris 2024 Paralympics marked their opening with a grand ceremony led by Tony Estanguet, the President of Paris 2024, who welcomed everyone to the “country of love and revolution”. The ceremony highlighted the Paralympic revolution, calling for inclusion and showcasing the resilience of Paralympic athletes.
The ceremony featured a parade along the Champs-Élysées, with athletes from 182 delegations participating. The Place de la Concorde served as the main stage for artistic performances and the lighting of the Paralympic torch. Performers included dancers, singers, and a fly-past by the Tricolor.
Athletes from various countries marched in alphabetical order, with delegations like Ukraine, the Refugee Team, and Palestine receiving a warm welcome. Brazil, with star Petrúcio Ferreira, made a grand entrance, along with the Refugee Team representing forcibly displaced people worldwide.
Great Britain, led by flagbearers Terry Bywater and Lucy Shuker, and the Chinese delegation, led by wheelchair athlete Ryadh Sallem, received cheers as well. The ceremony also featured a tribute to female athletes, including Valentina Petrillo, the first openly transgender Paralympian from Italy.
The ceremony, titled “Paradox: from discord to concord”, aimed to celebrate the resilience of Paralympians and promote inclusivity in society. The event marked the beginning of 11 days of elite competition across 22 sports, with a record number of delegations and female athletes participating. The Paralympic Games are set to showcase incredible sportsmanship and inspiring human stories over the following days.
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