PARIS — Paris is gearing up to close its summer of sports with a grand opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games, scheduled for Wednesday evening. The event will mark a vibrant celebration of athleticism and inclusion as more than 4,000 athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments prepare to compete in 22 sports over the next 11 days.
In a departure from the Olympic Games’ rain-drenched opening ceremony, which featured a boat parade along the Seine River, the Paralympic Games’ opening will take place entirely on land. Athletes will parade down the iconic Champs-Élysées, culminating in a ceremony at Place de la Concorde.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly, who also led the Olympic opening ceremony, promises that the event will feature unprecedented performances that highlight the values and achievements of Paralympic athletes. The ceremony aims to celebrate the human body and spirit, with expectations set high for a memorable and inclusive spectacle.
The event is scheduled to start at 8 p.m., with fans already securing prime spots along the Champs-Élysées despite the sweltering afternoon heat. Organizers report that over 2 million of the 2.8 million tickets have been sold, underscoring the significant public interest in the Games.
The Paralympic Games will kick off with competitions in taekwondo, table tennis, and track cycling on Thursday. Athletes will compete across different impairment levels to ensure fairness, with goalball and boccia being the only sports not featured in the Olympics.
International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons expressed that the enthusiastic crowds will be a significant boost for athletes, many of whom experienced the Tokyo Paralympics with empty stands due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parsons emphasized that the ceremony will be Paris’s way of extending a “gigantic hug” to the athletes, reflecting the city’s commitment to inclusivity and support for the Paralympic movement.
Accessibility has been a key focus, with special asphalt strips laid along the Champs-Élysées and throughout the Place de la Concorde to ensure smooth access for all attendees. The opening ceremony promises to set a high standard for the celebration of Paralympic sport and inclusivity on a global stage.
