Key Points
- The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games have officially started after an opening ceremony in a major public square.
- Athletes from 168 delegations paraded into the arena.
- International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons told spectators he hoped for an "inclusion revolution".
The 2024 Paralympics opened in Paris in a colourful and hope-filled ceremony, starting 11 days of competition in a city still riding the wave of the successful Olympics.
On Wednesday evening (local time), French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Games open during a ceremony in the Place de la Concorde in central Paris — the first time a Paralympic opening ceremony has taken place away from the main stadium.
Athletes from 168 delegations paraded into the arena as the sun set, with host nation France entering last to a standing ovation from 30,000 spectators packed into the stands around the historical square.
In one of the highlights of the ceremony, French singer Lucky Love, who was born with one arm, performed a moving rendition of his song My Ability surrounded by both dancers with disability and without.
French singer Lucky Love performed a rendition of his song My Ability surrounded by dancers. Source: AAP / Abdullah Firas/ABACA/PA
Christine and the Queens performing at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony. Source: AAP / Belga/Virginie Lefour/Sipa USA
"It's a sweet revolution that will change all of us deeply."
International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons told the athletes and spectators he hoped for an "inclusion revolution", before Macron officially declared the Games open.
Fireworks explode beside the Luxor Obelisk during the Paris 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony. Source: Getty / Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP
French Olympian Florent Manaudou brought the flame into the arena, as the four-day torch relay reached its culmination with five French Paralympians, including 2020 gold medallists Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keïta, eventually lighting the already-iconic cauldron in the Tuileries Garden.
Paralympians light the cauldron during the 2024 Paris opening ceremony. Source: AAP / Christophe Ena/AP
Ticket sales have sped up since the Olympics, and organisers say more than two million of the 2.5 million available have been sold, with several venues sold out.
French tennis player Michaël Jérémiasz carries the Paralympic flame during the torch relay. Source: Getty / Michael Reaves
Paralympic powerhouse China dominated the last Paralympics in Tokyo with 96 golds and has again sent a strong delegation.
Ukraine, traditionally one of the top medal-winning nations at the Paralympics, has sent a team of 140 athletes to compete in 17 sports despite the challenges they face in preparing as the war against Russian forces rages at home.
A total of 96 athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete under a neutral banner but are barred from the ceremonies because of the invasion of Ukraine.
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games runs from 29 August (Australian time) to 8 September and will be the first time Paris hosts the Paralympics.
With additional reporting by Reuters
