The Paris 2024 Paralympics began on August 28 with a breathtaking opening ceremony held in the heart of the French capital, marking a new era for the Games.
For the first time, the opening ceremony took place at the historic Place de la Concorde, a departure from the traditional stadium-based format seen in past Paralympic Games.
This choice of venue, previously used for urban sports during the Olympics, set the stage for 11 days of intense competition across various sports.
The ceremony featured vibrant performances against the backdrop of the Obélisque de Louxor (Luxor Obelisk), capturing the essence of the Paralympic spirit and the historic significance of the location.
Theatre director Thomas Jolly, who also orchestrated the Olympics opening, emphasized the symbolic nature of hosting the Paralympics in a city that is still working towards full accessibility for all its residents.
“Putting Paralympic athletes in the heart of the city is already a political marker in the sense that the city is not sufficiently adapted to every handicapped person,” Jolly remarked.
As the Games get underway, athletes will compete in many of the same venues used during the Olympics.
A total of 18 of the 35 Olympic venues will host Paralympic events, including the Grand Palais, which previously drew acclaim for its fencing and taekwondo events.
The La Défense Arena will again serve as the venue for swimming, while track and field events will be held on the Stade de France’s distinctive purple track.
Ticket sales for the Paralympics have surged following the Olympics, with over two million of the 2.5 million tickets sold. Many venues are already sold out, reflecting a growing interest in the Paralympic Games.
The Paralympic flame, which was lit at Stoke Mandeville hospital in England—the birthplace of the Games—traveled to France through the Channel Tunnel and toured French cities before reaching Paris.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics are poised to showcase both seasoned veterans and new stars. China, a dominant force in the Paralympics, is sending a formidable team, building on their impressive performance at the Tokyo Games where they won 96 gold medals.
Host nation France aims to improve on their 11 gold medals from the 2021 Games and secure a top-eight finish in the medals table. French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra expressed a desire for a significant upgrade in France’s performance.
Despite the challenges of war, Ukraine has sent a team of 140 athletes across 17 sports. Russia and Belarus will compete under a neutral banner, with their athletes barred from the opening and closing ceremonies due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Among the athletes to watch are American sprinter and high jumper Ezra Frech, known for his above-the-knee amputation, and Iranian sitting volleyball legend Morteza Mehrzad, who stands at an impressive 8 feet 1 inch tall. Both athletes are expected to make headlines throughout the Games.
The Paralympics are more than just a sports event; they serve as a platform for broader societal impact. International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons hopes the Paris Games will elevate the global agenda for disability issues.
“This is one of the key expectations we have around Paris 2024; we believe that we need people with disability to be put back on the global agenda,” Parsons said. He pointed out that discussions on disability often lag behind other social issues such as gender identity.
British sprinter Jonnie Peacock, competing in his fourth Paralympics, and other athletes will bring their stories of perseverance and excellence to the forefront, demonstrating the strength and determination inherent in the Paralympic movement.
As the Games progress, the focus will remain on the athletic achievements and the broader message of inclusion and accessibility. The Paris 2024 Paralympics promise to be a transformative event, celebrating the remarkable capabilities of athletes and advocating for a more inclusive world.
