The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games began in spectacular fashion with a grand opening ceremony held outside a stadium for the first time in history. Athletes from around the world paraded down the iconic Champs-Élysées, from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde, as 65,000 spectators lined the route, enjoying the parade for free before attending the ticketed ceremony in the heart of the city.
Held on a perfect summer evening, the event marked a monumental moment for the Paralympic movement as France hosted its first-ever summer Paralympic Games. Over the next 11 days, about 4,400 athletes from a record 168 delegations will compete across 22 sports, vying for 549 gold medals.
Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, hailed the opening ceremony as the beginning of a “Paralympic revolution” driven by the athletes. In his speech, he praised their resilience and determination, urging society to stop imposing limits on them. Estanguet noted that every emotion these athletes evoke will carry an unforgettable message: “You have no limits, so let us stop imposing limits on you.”
The ceremony sets the tone for a Paralympic Games that promises to inspire and challenge perspectives, showcasing extraordinary athletic feats on the world stage.
#MaltaDaily