Paris 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony: a groundbreaking ...

By Pierre Sarniguet

5 min|

17 long days... But this time, we're here! The madness of the Games is back with the kick-off of the Paralympic Games on August 28. With the program that awaits us until September 8, needless to say, this evening is not to be missed under any circumstances...

Paralympics Opening Ceremony - Watch live

“Game is not over!" After the fervor of the Olympic Games that thrilled us at the beginning of August, it's time for the Paralympic Games to celebrate the athletes' exploits once again. But before the records are broken and the medals awarded, let's enjoy the beautiful party organized by Thomas Jolly, artistic director of the Paris 2024 ceremonies, in collaboration with Alexander Ekman. And what a party it is! On August 28, an intense, unprecedented and, above all, unmissable spectacle awaits us!

An opening ceremony in the form of a popular festival

Paris 2024 had set the bar very, very high for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, taking it out of its usual stadium and transporting it along the Seine, right in the heart of Paris. The unprecedented challenge was well and truly met, and so we're looking forward to seeing Thomas Jolly and his teams as they open the 17th Paralympic Games by taking over the Place de la Concorde and the lower Champs Élysées. For the occasion, 50,000 spectators will be able to enjoy the show (15,000 free of charge (first come, first served) and another 35,000 thanks to their ticket purchased on the official Paris 2024 Games ticketing service).

For those who won't be able to attend, the ceremony will be broadcast live on France TV, the official broadcaster of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, from 8pm. Many 2024 Clubs and the Terrasse des Jeux in Paris will also be broadcasting live! A good reason to share this moment of history in the heart of the crowd.

''A gas pedal for inclusion"

The common thread running through this show, named “Paradox”, will be the theme of inclusion. Such is the ambition of Paris 2024, which wants to take advantage of this great celebration of sport to make disability a subject for discussion, consultation, progress but above all inclusion. “Throughout this project, I've been intrigued and I've learned a lot about the social problems that persist in our society on the issue of disability. I hope this ceremony will make a difference for all of us. I hope it will aim to normalize all bodies and become a gas pedal for inclusion and accessibility worldwide,” says Alexander Ekman. As such, the evening will celebrate bodies, in all their forms. The body, bodies, all bodies are at the heart of this ceremony,” adds the Swedish choreographer. And this will be achieved through numerous artistic sequences danced by people with and without disabilities. A must-see!

Pour la première fois dans l'histoire des Jeux Paralympiques, la cérémonie d'ouverture se tiendre hors d'un stade. C'est la place de la Concorde qui sera ici au coeur du spectacle.

Picture by Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesA host of surprises in store

With nearly 300 million television viewers expected worldwide, it's clear that this ceremony will open the Paralympic Games in the most beautiful way. With 168 delegations, these Games are more open than ever to the world. No matter which country we're in, we'll all be surprised by the spectacle on offer. And yes, there are plenty of surprises in store.

“My collaborators have been telling me for some time that there would be surprises during the ceremony. I've decided not to listen to them, so that I can enjoy them to the full! I can't wait to find out all about it,” said Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, at a press conference. In any case, the ceremony will be punctuated by various artistic sequences alternating between music and dance, always with the celebration of the Paralympic movement and inclusivity as the backdrop.

Picture by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

A host of stars!

The opening of the 17th Paralympic Games will also be an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the faces and names of the athletes who will thrill us during 11 days of intense competition. The delegations will enter the Concorde arena after parading from the bottom of the Champs-Élysées. They will circle the stage under the watchful eye of the Phrygians, who will also be on hand. As on July 26, the French delegation will close the parade with 237 members, including Nantenin Keïta and Alexis Hanquinquant as flag bearers. A host of stars from the Paralympic world will also be taking to the stage, before seeing them shine on the sports fields in the days to come!

Ils vont nous faire vibrer

Rekindling the fire

Ceremony means Flame! The Paralympic Flame will end its journey at the foot of the Vasque in the Tuileries Gardens. The Flame, so popular with the public during the Olympic Games, will once again be at the heart of the ceremonies to showcase Paralympic values. With it, the spirit of the Paris 2024 Games will be rekindled. From then on, the party can pick up where we left off 17 days ago. With 549 events on the program, spread across the same competition venues, everyone will be in the best possible position to experience what some are already calling “the finest Paralympic Games in history”. Let the party begin!

Paralympics Opening Ceremony - Watch live