The wait is finally over! The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will open on 28 August, with a spectacular Opening Ceremony, described by International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons as a“traditional ceremony in a non-traditional venue”.
For the first time in the history of the Paralympics, the Opening Ceremony will take place outside of a stadium. The iconic Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysees will serve as the backdrop when athletes from around the world take part in the Parade of Nations.
There will be surprise performances and dazzling dancing routines featuring dozens of dancers with disabilities, all in front of a crowd of 50,000 spectators.
Celebrating Para sport in the City of Light
There will be around 4,400 athletes from a record 168 delegations. Three NPCs – Eritrea, Kiribati and Kosovo – will make their Paralympic debut in the French capital.
“The city of love will get each Paralympian’s heart beating,” said Dutch wheelchair basketball player Jitske Visser.
“What an incredible moment for our athletes, who will be part of a historic Opening Ceremony, on the world’s most famous avenue, surrounded by all the charm of Paris.
“The Paris 2024 Games will be an exceptional showcase to celebrate Paralympic sport in the eyes of the whole world.”
Meet the flagbearers
The Opening Ceremony marks the beginning of 11 days of competition (549 medal events across 22 Para sports).
The Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT) will be the first team to march in the Opening Ceremony. Led by flagbearer Guillaume Junior Atangana, the RPT will feature eight athletes who will compete across six sports – Para athletics, Para powerlifting, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, Para triathlon and wheelchair fencing.
As host country, France will be the last delegation in the Parade of Nations.Sprinter Nantenin Keita and Para triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant will carry the flag for the hosts, who are aiming to pull off their best-ever Games performance with the support of a home crowd.
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“I have been a medallist, I have been an athlete, and I have discovered every part of the sport," Keita said.
"Now I will carry the flag for France. So my career is really complete. It’s the first Paralympics in France, so I will always be the first one [to carry the flag].”
Cameron Leslie, who was named New Zealand’s flagbearer, will compete at his fourthParalympics. A dual athlete in wheelchair rugby and Para swimming, the 34-year-old will compete in the pool in Paris.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the Opening Ceremony, he shared the excitement of being part of the historic event.
"I'm just looking forward to the experience. I know the French put on a very cool event, so I'm really looking forward to the whole thing. I'm going to go there with eyes wide open,” he said.
“It will be great to be alongside everyone from New Zealand, have a smile on my face, a laugh, and hopefully I don't fall over or drop the flag."
Para swimmer Gabriel Arautu also expressed his excitement about carrying Brazil’s flag during the Opening Ceremony.
"To be honoured in this way is wonderful. I'm very pleased to be given this opportunity to represent Brazil in the best possible way in the Opening Ceremony and then most importantly in the pool.
"My main goal is to enjoy every single moment possible, whether that's in the Paralympic Village, the pool or having the chance to carry the flag. It's a unique experience and I'm not sure I can describe it in words, but I think I will feel enormous joy to be the flag bearer - and hopefully I'll look good on TV."
Leaving a lasting legacy
Hanquinquant, who is one of the home favourites, hopes the Games will create a lasting legacy in France. The Paralympics have already led to positive changes in the host city even before they begin.
The City of Paris has invested in improving the accessibility at six sport facilities around the capital. There are more accessible schools, and overground transportation has improved drastically.
“Paris 2024 is an incredible catalyst to change society in France,” Hanquinquant said.
"The government is changing, (and) the government is moving. But Paris 2024 will be an unbelievably beautiful theatre to show the power of sport for all, to show the power of sport for the disabled, that they can get out and participate in society.”
