Just weeks after hosting the Olympics, Paris begins the final chapter of the summer of sports with the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games on Wednesday. More than 4,000 athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual disabilities will compete in 22 sports from Thursday to September 8.
Against the backdrop of a setting sun, in contrast to the rainy Olympic opening ceremony on July 26, thousands of athletes paraded down the famous Champs-Élysées to the Place de la Concorde in central Paris.
Organizers promise another spectacular show to kick off the Games. However, this time, the Paralympic ceremony was held on land, unlike the Olympic ceremony on the River Seine, and once again, it was held outside the stadium.
The event, titled “From Discord to Concord: A Reflection on the Place of People with Disability in Society,” dedicated the ceremony to highlight the paradox of “a society that claims to be inclusive but remains full of prejudice against people with disabilities.”
Alexander Ekman, chosen to choreograph the ceremony, used five art sections featuring 140 artists and 16 performers with disabilities.
Fighter jets flew overhead, leaving a trail of red, white, and blue vapor – the colors of the French national flag – before delegates entered the square in alphabetical order.
Some delegations are large, such as Brazil with more than 250 athletes, while others are small, such as Barbados and Myanmar, with less than a few participants.
As one of the future hosts, the American delegation was included in the final parade. The US Paralympic team, led by athletes Nicky Nieves and Steve Serio, wore single-breasted wool blazers with red and white trim, striped Oxford shirts, and jeans, all designed by Ralph Lauren.
The US team was followed by a delegation from Australia, host of the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and then by the host, France.
After the parade ended, French artist Lucky Love performed “My Ability” in another magnificent performance. Dancers representing “Strict Society” surround the stage, watching over the performers in the middle.
Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, delivered a heartwarming speech in French and English. Parsons then spoke, sending a powerful message:
“The Paralympics are not here to participate,” Parsons said. “They’re here to compete, win, and break world records. But they’re also here for equality for the nearly 1.3 billion people with disabilities around the world. They’re going to redefine what you think is possible.”
Parsons then handed over the lectern to French President Emmanuel Macron, who officially declared the Paris Paralympics open.