The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games started with a stunning ceremony, as around 4,400 athletes made their way along the famous Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde, according to BBC.
This is the first time in Paris that the Paralympic Games opening ceremony took place outside a stadium, similar to the recent Olympic Games, BBC reported.
The main event happened at Place de la Concorde on a beautiful summer evening, following a parade from the Arc de Triomphe, BBC added. Organizers expect 65,000 people to attend, with many watching the parade for free before the ticketed ceremony at Place de la Concorde, BBC noted.
The Patrouille de France aerial display team added to the excitement, releasing smoke in the colors of the French flag in clear skies before the athletes arrived, BBC mentioned.
As BBC highlighted, this is the first time France is hosting a summer Paralympic Games, with athletes from 184 countries competing in 22 sports for 549 gold medals.
The opening ceremony was designed to be a spectacular show, featuring performances never seen before, according to BBC.
ParalympicsGB was represented by wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker and wheelchair basketball player Terry Bywater, while sprinter Nantenin Keita and Para-triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant carried the French flag, BBC reported.
International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said that Paris is expected to deliver “the most spectacular Paralympic Games ever,” BBC shared.