Paris 2024 Paralympics: A Celebration of Inclusion and Achievement

The 2024 Paralympics were inaugurated in Paris with a grand, four-hour-long opening ceremony. More than 4,000 athletes will compete in 22 sports until September 8. The event emphasized inclusion and showcased the capabilities of athletes with disabilities. The ceremony included performances by artists with and without disabilities.

Paris kicked off the 2024 Paralympics on Wednesday with a nearly four-hour-long opening ceremony in the heart of the city. Thousands of athletes paraded down the iconic Champs-Elysées avenue to Place de la Concorde, where French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Games officially open. About 50,000 spectators watched the event from special stands around the historic square.

With accessibility measures like asphalt strips and wheelchair-friendly paths, more than 4,000 athletes with various impairments are set to compete in 22 sports until September 8. Organizers revealed that over 2 million tickets have already been sold for the events. The parade saw participation from large delegations like Brazil's 250 athletes and smaller ones like Barbados and Myanmar.

The opening night was filled with performances emphasizing inclusion, featuring singers, dancers, and musicians both with and without disabilities. Notable performances included a set by French singer Lucky Love and choreography involving dancers with crutches. President of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons expressed hope that the Games would inspire a broader 'inclusion revolution' beyond sports.

(With inputs from agencies.)