On Wednesday, August 28, Paris will host its first Paralympic Games, which will get off with a stunning Opening Ceremony in the heart of the French city.
At 20:00 local time, 4,400 Paralympic competitors from 184 delegations will gather in Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées to mark the opening of 11 days of competition, which will begin on August 29.
The extravaganza, led by Thomas Jolly, will “showcase the Paralympic athletes and the values that they embody,” according to the Artistic Director for the Ceremonies at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Commenting that the idea is “first and foremost a magnificent source of inspiration,” Jolly commits to “performances that have never been seen before,” along with a “spectacle that will unite spectators and television audiences worldwide around the unique spirit of the Paralympic Games” .
The ceremony will once again be held outside of a stadium, with athletes walking down the famed road, ending in a celebration and formal opening of the Paralympic Games at the landmark square in front of thousands of fans.
“What an incredible moment for our athletes, who will be part of a historic opening ceremony on the world’s most famous avenue, surrounded by all the charm of Paris,” enthused Jitske Visser, Paralympic wheelchair basketball medalist, IPC Athletes’ Commission President, and Paris 2024 competitor.
“This ceremony at the heart of the city is a strong symbol illustrating our ambition to capitalise on our country hosting its first-ever Paralympic Games to position the issue of inclusion for people with disabilities at the heart of our society,” tweeted Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024.
Quick information about the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.
- 4,400 athletes.
- 184 delegations.
- There are 65,000 spectators.
- More than 300 million viewers!
- A procession from Champs-Elysées to Place de la Concorde
- Four phases.
- Unique creative performances.
29 August: Preview of athletes to watch
The first day of competition begins with medal events for Para Cycling Track, Para Swimming, Para Table Tennis, and Para Taekwondo.
Sarah Storey, ParalympicsGB’s most accomplished athlete, will compete in her ninth consecutive Games, seeking to add to her 17 gold medals from the start. Storey won three championships in Tokyo 2020, and he defends the first today in the Para Cycling Track Time Trial C5 (beginning at 11:00 local time).
The mixed gender event’s preliminary stages begin at 10:30 a.m. with a mouth-watering match between Australia and Great Britain.
Ryley Batt returns to the competition, seeking to lead his Australian team back to the top of the podium after finishing fourth in Tokyo 2020, following wins in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Meanwhile, the United States faces Canada in a North American battle (12:30), with Chuck Aoki vying for a coveted top berth after two silvers and a bronze. France hosts Denmark, and the crowd is no doubt ready to shake the Champ de Mars Arena to its foundations once more.
30 August: Preview of athletes to watch
Day two: Para Athletics and Shooting. Para Sport participates in the first day’s medal competitions of Para Cycling Track, Para Swimming, Para Table Tennis, and Para Taekwondo by giving dazzling hardware to participants.
Tanguy de la Forest appears to be continuing his dominant form from 2023, when the Frenchman dominated the competition at the Lima 2023 World Shooting Para Sport Championships, winning four gold medals and a bronze, including a world record in the R4 mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2, which happens to be one of the events today, beginning at 12:30.
Law student Avani Lekhara of India will also defend her 10m air rifle SH1 with qualifiers at 09:00 and the final at 11:45.
How to watch the Paralympic Games Paris 2024?
Follow the action on the Paralympic YouTube Channel and the International Paralympic Committee website (geo-blocking regulations may apply).
For a complete list of global broadcasters, go here.
