Paris Makes History with a Captivating Outdoor Paralympic Opening Ceremony
Paris once again found itself in the global spotlight as it hosted a groundbreaking opening ceremony for the Paralympics, just weeks after the conclusion of the Olympic Games. In an unprecedented move, the ceremony took place outside of a traditional stadium setting, marking the first time in history that the Paralympic Games opened in such a manner.
The heart of Paris came alive as 140 artists, including 16 performers with disabilities, delivered mesmerizing performances. The festivities commenced at the foot of the iconic Champs-Élysées and continued into the historic Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the French capital. The event was graced by 168 delegations from around the world, each proudly participating in this monumental celebration.
Musical performances added an enchanting layer to the evening. French artist Christine and the Queens performed Edith Piaf’s timeless classic “Non, je ne regrette rien,” while renowned pianist Chilly Gonzales and musician Sébastien Tellier captivated the audience with their melodies, including Tellier’s hit “La Ritournelle.”
Following the parade of athletes, the Paralympic Oath was taken by French Paralympians Sandrine Martinet and Arnaud Assoumani. Martinet, a triple bronze medalist and champion in Para judo from Rio 2016, and Assoumani, a long jump gold medalist from Beijing 2008, represented the spirit and resilience of Paralympic athletes worldwide.
A symbolic handover ceremony highlighted the unity between Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Florent Manaudou, a six-time Olympic medalist and flag bearer for France, passed the torch to Michaël Jérémiasz, a Paralympic champion in wheelchair tennis and now the chef de mission for the French delegation at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are set to be a grand affair, with more than 4,400 athletes competing across 22 para sports in 549 medal events over 11 days. The opening ceremony was witnessed by over 50,000 spectators and was broadcast to an estimated global audience of 300 million viewers.
In his opening speech, Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, celebrated what he termed “the Paralympic revolution.” He emphasized the transformative power of the Games, stating, “Tonight, you are inviting us to change our perspectives, change our attitudes, change our society to finally give every person their full place. Because when the sport starts, we will no longer see men and women with a disability, we will see you: we will see champions.”
As the competition gets underway, the world is set to witness not just a display of athletic prowess, but a celebration of human spirit and determination. The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games promise to be a historic event, redefining the boundaries of possibility and inspiring millions around the globe.
