Paris Hosts Historic Outdoor Opening Ceremony for the Paralympic Games
In a historic first, the city of Paris held the opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games in an exhilarating outdoor setting, a mere few weeks following the conclusion of the Summer Olympics. This groundbreaking event transpired outside of a conventional stadium, beginning at the renowned Champs-Élysées and culminating at the prestigious Place de la Concorde, noted as the largest public square in the French capital.
The ceremony featured an impressive ensemble of 140 artists, among whom were 16 performers with disabilities. The celebration was marked by notable musical performances, including a heartfelt interpretation of the iconic ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’ by acclaimed French artist Christine and the Queens, in addition to a piano display by the talented Chilly Gonzales, and a performance of his renowned piece, ‘La Ritournelle’ by Sébastien Tellier.
Following the vibrant parade of athletes representing a total of 168 delegations, the ceremony honored French Paralympians Sandrine Martinet and Arnaud Assoumani, who together delivered the Paralympic Oath. The event also featured a ceremonial handover, wherein six-time Olympic medalist and flag bearer for the Olympics, Florent Manaudou, passed the torch to Michaël Jérémiasz, a celebrated Paralympic champion in wheelchair tennis and current chef de mission for the French delegation at the forthcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The upcoming Games are poised to welcome over 4,400 athletes who will compete across 22 para sports, culminating in 549 medal events throughout an 11-day schedule. Organizers anticipated that more than 50,000 spectators would witness the opening ceremony in person, alongside an estimated global viewership of 300 million.
Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, delivered a stirring opening address, emphasizing the significance of inclusivity in sports. He praised the athletes as revolutionaries who persistently defy limitations, stating, “When they told you, ‘No,’ you continued.” Mr. Estanguet further highlighted the transformative power of sports to alter societal perceptions, asserting, “Because when the sport starts, we will no longer see men and women with a disability, we will see you: we will see champions.” The Paralympic competition is set to commence on Thursday, with anticipation building for the remarkable achievements yet to unfold.
Post Comment