The 2024 Paralympics commenced in Paris on Wednesday evening (August 28, 2024) with a joyous yet meaningful outdoor celebration in splendid summer weather. This event sparked great excitement for the upcoming eleven days of competition and provided food for thought.
Seventeen days after the Olympic flame was extinguished during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, the cauldron in the Tuileries Garden in the French capital is “burning” once more. About an hour after President Emmanuel Macron officially declared the Paralympics open at 10:37 p.m., French para-athletes Alexis Hanquinquant, Nantenin Keïta, Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Elodie Lorandi, and Fabien Lamirault lit the Paralympic flame together.
This moment was one of the highlights of the three-and-a-half-hour opening ceremony and marked the end of a spectacular finale to the torch relay that began with the sounds of Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero.”
Impressions from Paris
The most beautiful moments of the opening ceremony
Markus Rehm, one of the last torchbearers
Previously, seven other renowned French and international para-sport stars transported the torch closer to the grand cauldron, including 36-year-old long jumper Markus Rehm from Leverkusen, who is striving for his fourth gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
The close connection between the Olympic and Paralympic Games was apparent when French swimmer Florent Manaudou, a six-time Olympic medalist and two-time bronze medalist in Paris this summer, walked onto the large stage at Place de la Concorde with the torch, to the applause and cheers of the crowd.
Colorful parade of 4,400 participants
Speaking of grandeur: Virtually everything related to the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games was large and impressive. On a beautiful summer evening—the stunning Olympic opening ceremony along the Seine at the end of July was largely rainy—the 4,400 athletes were already sweating in temperatures around 25 degrees before the competition had even begun.
Accompanied in part by coaches, caregivers, and doctors, they paraded colorfully and cheerfully for 90 minutes from the magnificent Champs-Élysées boulevard to the Place de la Concorde at dusk. Thousands of spectators lined the route to cheer, and then 35,000 attendees in the stands enthusiastically celebrated, including distinguished guests like Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, his wife Elke Büdenbender, and IOC President Thomas Bach.
Müller and Schulz lead the German team
The German team in Paris, consisting of 143 athletes and five guides for visually impaired participants, entered as the fourth team, led by canoeist Edina Müller (Hamburg) and triathlete Martin Schulz (Leipzig) as flag bearers. Both have previously won gold at the Paralympics twice and are among Germany’s medal contenders in Paris as well.
The final team to enter was the host country, France. The stadium had transformed into a vibrant, colorful, flowing mass, and “Allez les bleus” echoed thousands of times from the stands.
Dance, music, and rhythm spectacle delights
At Place de la Concorde, where the sporting heart of the Summer Games beat during the Olympics and where the German 3×3 basketball team won gold, a grand stadium with seating was erected around the ancient Luxor obelisk specifically for the opening ceremony.
The audience was treated to a plethora of performances beyond the national parade, often unsure where to look first. The French national colors of blue, white, and red were “painted in the sky” twice—once through smoky fireworks and once by jets from the French Air Force. Five hundred artists and performers delivered an entertaining yet thought-provoking dance, music, and rhythm spectacle on stage titled “Paradox.” Pianist Chilly Gonzales opened the show on the grand piano; later, the group Christine and the Queens performed a rendition of Edith Piaf’s classic “Non, je ne regrette rien,” and the French DJ Myd played “Les Champs-Élysées” among other hits. Towards the conclusion, an emotional rendition of the French national anthem, the “Marseillaise,” was played.
Parsons: “Athletes are here to break world records”
Over the next eleven days, concluding with the Paralympics’ closing ceremony on September 8, the focus will be on the sporting achievements of athletes with disabilities—as highlighted by the organizing head, Tony Estanguet, and the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons, in their speeches. “Paralympic athletes are not here just to participate. They are not playing games. They are here to compete, to win, and to break world records,” Parsons declared.
Estanguet: “Beginning of the Paralympic revolution”
Estanguet and the Brazilian IPC leader have even more significant aspirations for the 17th Paralympics in Paris: they aim for these summer games to further promote the inclusion agenda. Estanguet referred to this as the “beginning of the Paralympic revolution” and emphasized the need to overcome barriers. The courage, determination, and accomplishments of the athletes serve as an inspiration for all: “Tonight, you invite us to change our perspectives, change our attitudes, and transform our society. Each of your victories will help progress the world.”
Parsons echoed these sentiments by stating: “At the Paralympics, we will celebrate what makes us unique and demonstrate that there is strength and beauty in diversity, and that diversity is a powerful catalyst for progress.” He stressed that para-athletes “come together as competitors in peace” to “achieve something far greater than personal glory. They seek equality and inclusion for themselves and the 1.3 billion individuals with disabilities worldwide.” The Paralympics in Paris should ignite nothing less than a “revolution of inclusion,” stated the IPC leader, who also referenced the French Republic’s motto: “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
Inclusion is a win-win for everyone
The theme of inclusion was also the guiding principle in the grand show segment of the opening ceremony, which, like the Olympics, was directed by theatre director Thomas Jolly.
Two groups came together on stage: a larger group symbolizing the majority of society without disabilities and a smaller one featuring dancers with disabilities in wheelchairs, on tricycles, and with crutches. Initially, both groups performed separately, showing no sign of collaboration. However, as the show progressed, both groups—driven by the creative individuals with disabilities—gradually converged, ultimately demonstrating that together we are stronger and can achieve more.
The inclusion of individuals with disabilities benefits everyone. However, for this to happen, society must reevaluate and reshape its perception of individuals with disabilities—and genuinely strive for inclusion in sports, classrooms, concert halls, and boardrooms, as Parsons indicated in his speech. This is the message from the opening ceremony that is set to resonate around the globe from Paris.
People with disabilities showcased the significance of inclusion at the opening ceremony.
Competition for medals with Paralympic values
Starting Thursday (August 29, 2024), the sporting events in Paris will center around Paralympic values and unity—they are the first to take place following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The stadiums and arenas will be filled as 4,400 para-athletes from around the world vie for 549 gold, silver, and bronze medals in 22 different sports. Athletic ambition will be paramount, but fair play and respect for others’ performances will be equally significant.
“If we dream, we can achieve something”
One potential motto for the games could be Oksana Masters’ philosophy on life: “If we dream, we can achieve something,” states the Ukrainian-born American who was one of the last torchbearers during the opening ceremony. The 35-year-old has earned 17 medals at the Winter and Summer Paralympics. In Paris, as in Tokyo, she will compete in road cycling events.
Another inspiring figure for inclusion is Briton John McFall, who carried the Paralympic flag to Place de la Concorde toward the end of the opening ceremony. In 2008, he won bronze in the 100m dash and is currently preparing to potentially become the first person with a disability to travel into space for the European Space Agency, ESA.
The 2024 Paralympics opened in Paris on Wednesday evening (August 28, 2024) with a cheerful yet profound celebration in the glorious summer weather. This event stirred great anticipation for the next eleven days of competition and reflection.
Seventeen days after the Olympic flame was extinguished on August 11, the cauldron in Tuileries Garden reignites. Around an hour after President Emmanuel Macron declared the Paralympics officially open at 10:37 PM, the cauldron was lit by French para-athletes Alexis Hanquinquant, Nantenin Keïta, Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Elodie Lorandi, and Fabien Lamirault.
This moment marked a highlight in the three-and-a-half-hour opening ceremony, culminating in a spectacular torch relay finale that began with the sounds of Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero.”
Impressions from Paris
The Most Beautiful Moments of the Opening Ceremony
Markus Rehm: One of the Last Torchbearers
Seven renowned para-sport stars, including long jumper Markus Rehm, who is pursuing his fourth gold medal at the Paralympics, carried the torch closer to the cauldron.
The ceremony highlighted the connection between the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with swimmer Florent Manaudou, a six-time Olympic medalist, receiving cheers as he carried the torch.
Colorful Parade of 4400 Participants
The opening ceremony was grand, featuring a parade of 4,400 athletes from around the world, all representing their nations in joyful celebration amidst the beautiful Parisian summer weather.
Participants, accompanied by trainers and caregivers, paraded from Champs-Élysées to Place de la Concorde, greeted with enthusiasm by thousands of spectators, and celebrated by 35,000 attendees in the stands.
Müller and Schulz Lead the German Team
The German team, made up of 143 athletes including five guides, was led by canoeist Edina Müller and triathlete Martin Schulz, both seasoned gold medalists aiming for more success in Paris.
The host nation, France, made a grand entrance as the last team, with the crowd enthusiastically chanting, “Allez les bleus.”
Dance, Music, and Rhythm Spectacle Delights
Set against the historical backdrop of Place de la Concorde, the audience was treated to an elaborate show with vibrant displays of the French national colors and captivating performances that included French artists and musicians.
The performance under the theme “Paradox” featured lively dance, music, and engaging acts, ensuring a memorable night highlighting both competition and solidarity.
Parsons: “Athletes are Here to Break World Records”
In speeches by Tony Estanguet and IPC President Andrew Parsons, the focus was placed on the athletes’ determination to exceed limits, emphasizing the intent to break records rather than merely compete.
Estanguet: “Beginning of the Paralympic Revolution”
Both Estanguet and Parsons spoke of the significance of this Paralympics in advancing inclusion for disabled athletes, asserting that each athlete’s success contributes to broader societal change.
Inclusion is a Win-Win for Everyone
The theme of inclusion ran through the opening ceremony, directed by Thomas Jolly, showcasing the collaboration between individuals with and without disabilities, symbolizing community and shared purpose.
The message was clear: true inclusion benefits everyone, requiring society to shift its perception and actively pursue meaningful integration in all aspects of life.
Competition for Medals with Paralympic Values
The sporting events will commence on August 29, 2024, embodying the spirit of friendly competition as 4,400 para-athletes vie for medals across 22 different sports, emphasizing ambition, fair play, and respect.
“If We Dream, We Can Achieve Something”
The inspirational message from Oksana Masters, a celebrated paralympic athlete, serves as a guiding ethos for participants throughout the games, underscoring the power of dreams in achieving the extraordinary.
Highlighting the event’s diverse nature, former 100m bronze medalist John McFall’s participation as a torchbearer reflects the growing representation of individuals with disabilities in prominent roles.