Paris Paralympics 2024 opening ceremony kicks off “sweet” Paralympic revolution

August 29, 2024 France Sports

The 2024 Paralympics kicked off in Paris on August 28, 2024 with a groundbreaking opening ceremony held at the iconic Place de la Concorde. Just like the Olympic Games, the Paralympics opening ceremony was held outside of a stadium for the first time in the French capital.

French President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Games open amidst a festive atmosphere in the historic square. The event featured 4,400 athletes from 168 nations parading into the arena as the sun set over Paris. France, as the host nation, received a rousing standing ovation from the 30,000 spectators in attendance.

This year’s ceremony was marked by a vibrant array of performances and tributes. French singer Lucky Love, who is missing his left arm below the elbow, delivered a poignant performance of his song “My Ability,” accompanied by both able-bodied and disabled dancers.

Security was stringent, with approximately 15,000 law enforcement officers deployed, but the atmosphere remained light and celebratory. Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet welcomed the athletes with a speech highlighting the significance of the Paralympic “revolution.”

“Dear athletes, welcome to the country of love and revolution. Rest assured, tonight, no Storming of the Bastille, no guillotine, because tonight the most beautiful revolution starts–the Paralympic revolution,” Estanguet was quoted as saying in an ABS-CBN report. “It’s a sweet revolution that will change all of us deeply.”

The ceremony, directed by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman, featured a performance titled “Paradox, from discord to concord,” reflecting the venue’s historical significance. The show began with Canadian musician Chilly Gonzales on the piano and included a pop rendition of Edith Piaf’s “Je ne regrette rien” by Christine and the Queens.

The torch relay concluded with French Paralympians Alexis Hanquinquant, Nantenin Keita, Elodie Lorandi, Charles-Antoine Kouakou, and Fabien Lamirault lighting the cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens. John McFall, a British Paralympic sprinter, carried the Paralympic flag into the square. McFall has been selected by the European Space Agency to become the world’s first “parastronaut.”

The ceremony ended with a dazzling fireworks display and performances of classic hits, including Christine and the Queens’ cover of Patrick Hernandez’s “Born to be Alive” and Serge Gainsbourg’s “Je t’aime moi non plus,” leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

The Paralympics, which will run until September 8, will utilize 18 of the 35 Olympic venues, including the Grand Palais and Stade de France, continuing the city’s celebration of sport and unity.