Agitos shine on the Arc de Triomphe for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Three weeks after the Olympic rings were installed on the Eiffel Tower, the Agitos, symbols of Paralympism, were installed in the last few hours on a major Parisian monument: the Arc de Triomphe.

The big moment is approaching. With the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games just two months away, the Arc de Triomphe woke up this Friday morning adorned with Agitos. After Tower Bridge in London 2012, Copacabana Beach in Rio 2016 and Tokyo Bay for Tokyo 2020, they are once again taking their place in a highly emblematic location.

Symbols of the Paralympic Movement in the same way as the rings for the Olympic Games, these giant Agitos were designed and manufactured by ArcelorMittal, Official Partner of the event.

For the first time in history

This assembly is a real technical feat, since the whole thing - made of 100% recycled steel and entirely manufactured in France (in Châteauneuf, Le Creusot, Dunkerque and Denain) - measures 12 metres wide by 9 metres high. In detail, the Agitos are installed 44 metres above the ground (while fully preserving the Arc de Triomphe) and each weighs 1.5 tonnes for impressive dimensions: 7 metres high, 3 metres wide and 35 centimetres deep. Following several weeks of night-time work - so it didn't disrupt visitor access to the monument or traffic on the Place de l'Étoile - they were installed on a steel frame that had already been put in place.

For the first time in the history of the Games, the Paralympic Agitos can be seen at the same time as the rings. It's a way of calling out to the public: the Games in Paris are a continuous celebration until September 8, with the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games! "I'm proud to see these Agitos at the top of the Arc de Triomphe and that we're the first host country of the Games to display them at the same time as the Olympic rings. From now on, everyone will be able to see them in the heart of the capital, and on August 28, the Avenue des Champs-Elysées will become the Avenue of the Paralympic Games", Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, said.

From now on, therefore, the Agitos - illuminated in colour during the night - can be seen on the Arc de Triomphe, in the perspective of the Champs-Élysées. France's most famous avenue will also be the heart of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with the opening ceremony taking place in the lower part of the avenue and on Place de la Concorde. Incidentally, this will be the first ever Paralympic Games to be held outside a stadium.

The long history of Agitos

Although the first Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960, it wasn't until 1988 that the Paralympic Movement adopted an official visual representation. At the time, it consisted of five Tae-Geuk, a South Korean decorative symbol with the same colours as the Olympic rings (blue, black, red, yellow and green), also arranged in the same configuration.

Then, in 1994, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided to differentiate itself from the Olympic emblem by switching to three Tae-Geuk in red, blue and green. It was again ten years after that the Tae-Geuk were modernised into Agitos, also red, blue and green. These colours are quite simply the most commonly used on national flags around the world. Slightly modified in 2019, the Agitos are the heart of the Paralympic identity. They symbolise the values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Ticketing more open than ever

With its "We're not missing anything, just you!" campaign, Paris 2024 is inviting you to join us for the Paralympic Games. One million billlets have already been allocated or sold... and there are still plenty of opportunities to cheer the French team at some exceptional venues.

550,000 tickets at €25 or less are still available, including 120,000 at €15 or less, particularly for the biggest finals: Para athletics at the Stade de France, Para swimming at the Paris La Défense Arena, Armchair basketball at the Arena Bercy and Para Taekwondo at the Grand Palais.