Paralympics opens in Paris with historic Champs-Elysees parade
4,400 athletes parade through Paris landmarks for Paralympics opening ceremony
The Paris Paralympics opening ceremony commences tonight, featuring thousands of athletes parading through the French capital’s renowned landmarks.
Around 65,000 spectators will observe athletes from over 180 countries marching along the Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde before competitions start on Thursday. This marks the first instance in Paralympic history of the opening ceremony, starting at 7pm local time (6pm in the UK), occurring outside a stadium.
Approximately 4,400 athletes from more than 180 nations will participate in the parade. Paralympic champions Lucy Shuker and Terry Bywater have been chosen as ParalympicsGB’s flagbearers. The ceremony concludes at 10pm, with competitions beginning the next day, encompassing sports such as track cycling, swimming, taekwondo, and table tennis.
There are 28 Paralympic sports in total, but the Paris Games will feature only 22. Competitions will be held across 18 venues over two weeks, concluding with the closing ceremony on 8 September.
The Paralympics flame was ignited last Saturday by British Paralympians Helene Raynsford and Gregor Ewan in Stoke Mandeville, a village northwest of London, regarded as the birthplace of the Games.
The flame journeyed to France via the English Channel for a four-day relay from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean, including the Pyrenees and the Alps. The journey will culminate in Paris on Wednesday during the opening ceremony, with the lighting of a distinctive Olympic cauldron attached to a hot-air balloon, which will fly over the city each evening for 11 days.
During the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020, GB secured 124 podium finishes, including 41 gold, 38 silver, and 45 bronze medals. UK Sport anticipates that ParalympicsGB will claim between 100 and 140 medals during the Paris Games. A total of 549 gold medals are available throughout the Paralympic Games.
The Thai Paralympic team is being praised by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for securing slots to participate in the Games.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Anticiper les Jeux provides an overview of the security measures and travel impacts for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, emphasizing the relevance of the Games Pass for authorized vehicle access to red and blue perimeters during the opening ceremony. (read more)
- Olympics.com offers an unprecedented overview of the Paris 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony, emphasizing its groundbreaking location at the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées, aiming to transform the heart of Paris into a celebratory showcase for Paralympic athletes and their values of inclusion. (read more)
- Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will feature 4,400 athletes in 22 sports, including iconic venues like the Eiffel Tower, showcasing accessibility and inclusivity. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
When is the opening ceremony for the Paris Paralympics?
The opening ceremony is tonight at 7pm local time (6pm UK).
Which iconic landmarks will the Paris Paralympics parade pass through?
The parade will go from the Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde.
How many athletes are participating in the Paris Paralympics?
About 4,400 athletes from over 180 nations are participating.
What unique feature will the Paris Paralympics cauldron have?
The cauldron will be attached to a hot-air balloon flying over Paris.
How many gold medals are available in the Paris Paralympics?
There are 549 gold medals up for grabs.
