It was perhaps the world’s greatest message of inclusion and celebration of life. Under the theme of ‘discord to Concord’, the opening ceremony of the XVII Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (28 August – 8 September), held this Wednesday at the iconic Place de la Concorde, was a historic event full of emotion, symbolism and creativity. For the first time, the ceremony did not take place in a stadium, but in an outdoor public space, allowing thousands of people to enjoy the spectacle in the heart of Paris.
[Athletes not to miss at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games]
Alexander Ekman was the artistic director and Thomas Jolly the choreographer whose message to the world was poetic and sensitive, that of the exposure of “a paradox between a society that claims to be inclusive but is also sometimes still full of prejudice towards people with disabilities”. One of the most elegant moments of the ceremony was when the canoes, designed on a sea around the obelisk, were pushed by crutch paddles. A symbol of the extra effort that the Paralympic movement makes, while the rest of society looks on. It should be remembered that the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that around 1 billion people, approximately 15% of the world’s population, live with some kind of disability. Of these, some 190 million people (3.8%) experience significant difficulties in living.
What a moment for Nantenin Keita, Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault, Elodie Lorandi and Alexis Hanquiquant 🔥#Paralympics pic.twitter.com/vW7zMlIQ9y
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) August 28, 2024
The ceremony began with a parade of the 168 delegations participating in these Paralympic Games, led by France, the host country. Each delegation was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd in the Place de la Concorde, which celebrated diversity and inclusion, core values of the Paralympic Games. The athletes entered into a vibrant atmosphere, with live music and lights illuminating the historic square.
The event was a visual spectacle, with projections on the surrounding buildings and an impressive display of drones forming iconic symbols of the Paralympic Games in the Paris night sky. Art and technology came together to tell the story of the Paralympic movement, highlighting its evolution and global impact.
“The most beautiful of revolutions”
“Rest assured, tonight does not touch the storming of the Bastille or the guillotine, but the most beautiful of revolutions begins: the Paralympic one,” said Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee. “We want to show that difference makes us more beautiful and stronger,” added Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee, to usher in the Paralympic Games that will be the most mediatic in history. The opening ceremony alone drew 300 million viewers worldwide.
The highlight of the evening was the lighting of the Paralympic cauldron, the balloon that became so famous during the Olympic Games, which was carried out by a group of outstanding French Paralympic athletes, symbolizing collective effort and unity. The flame, visible from various points in the city, will be a constant reminder of the celebration of sport and self-improvement during the two weeks of competition.
PARIS’ RESPONSIBILITY
The ceremony not only marked the start of the Games, but also left a clear message: Paris 2024 will be remembered not only for sporting excellence, but also for its commitment to accessibility and sustainability. The French capital was presented as an example of how a city can adapt to accommodate everyone, regardless of their abilities.
The ceremony, in short, combined tradition, modernity and a strong message of inclusion. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games kicked off with the promise of being an event that will inspire the entire world.
