Paris 2024 Paralympics: photos of the best moments from the Opening Ceremony
On the evening of Wednesday 28 August, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were officially opened at a magnificent and sumptuous ceremony held on the Place de la Concorde. Here's a look back at this magical evening.
Théo Curin to kick off the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
The Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games kicked off with a sequence featuring former French Para swimmer Théo Curin. In his taxi decorated with Paralympic symbols, he opened the ceremony by arriving at the Place de la Concorde and shouting "Welcome to Paris!" Blue, white and red fireworks then lit up the Parisian sky.
The magic of the Patrouille de France strikes again
The Phrygians then took to the stage... to announce the arrival of the delegations, as well as the planes of the Patrouille de France.
A magnificent parade of athletes
The 90-minute athletes' parade ended at sunset with the arrival of the French delegation to the sounds of “Champs-Élysées”, “Que je t'aime”, “Lettre à France” and “Emmenez-moi”. Led by Nantenin Keïta and Alexis Hanquinquant, the delegation included almost 150 Para sport personnel. During the parade, the Phrygians danced to the rhythm of DJ Myd's music.
The Concorde obelisk in the colours of France
As the French flag was raised by French Army veterans to the sound of La Marseillaise revised by Victor Le Masne and performed by the Ensemble Matheus, the colours blue, white and red were projected onto the Concorde obelisk. A magical moment.
Emmanuel Macron declares the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games open
Following speeches by Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, and Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, officially declared the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games open.
The arrival of the Paralympic Flame
As the Paralympic flag entered the Concorde and the Paralympic oath was read out by Arnaud Assoumani and Sandrine Martinet, the Paralympic Flame arrived on stage carried by Florent Manaudou. Michael Jeremiasz then received the sacred flame.
Dancers form the Paralympic Agitos
To the strains of Maurice Ravel's "Bolero", 150 dancers and performers carrying flaming torches formed the Agitos, symbols of the Paralympic Movement. Meanwhile, Beatrice Vio, Oksana Masters and Markus Rehm carried the Paralympic Flame.
A Paralympic Cauldron lit at 5
Markus Rehm ran from the Place de la Concorde with the Paralympic Flame to the Jardin des Tuileries. Assia El Hannouni then carried the Torch, as did Christian Lachaud and Béatrice Hess. Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keïta, in duet, then joined Elodie Lorandi, Charles-Antoine Kouakou and Fabien Lamirault. Five of them had the honour of lighting up the Paralympic Cauldron.
A fireworks finale
With Christine and the Queens singing "Born to be alive", the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games ended with a magnificent, gigantic fireworks display. The song "Je t'aime moi non plus" finally brought the proceedings to a close.