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The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opened extraordinarily with a unique ceremony held for the first time outside a stadium, taking place at the historic Place de la Concorde. Athletes from 168 delegations paraded around the square, transforming it into a magnificent open-air arena for the evening. They showcased Para sport to the world while making their way around the iconic Obelisk, culminating in the lighting of the Paris 2024 Cauldron, illuminated by the Paralympic Flame.
Artistic director Alexander Ekman orchestrated an exceptional show that featured 500 artists, including over 140 dancers and 16 performers with disabilities. Designed by Bruno Delavenère, the scenography provided new perspectives on the historic landmark and emphasized the performers’ movements, enhanced by costumes from young designer Louis Gabriel Nouchi. Music by Victor le Masne and lighting by Thomas Dechandon contributed to an unforgettable night attended by 15,000 spectators at the foot of the Champs-Élysées and 35,000 in the square itself. Across five artistic tableaux, the ceremony delivered a powerful message of inclusion and the place of people with disabilities in society.
After the athletes’ parade, two distinguished French Para athletes, Sandrine Martinet and Arnaud Assoumani, took the Paralympic Oath. John McFall, the first astronaut with a disability to join the European Space Agency, brought the Paralympic flag to the ceremony alongside Damien Seguin, a three-time French Paralympic medallist.
The musical program featured a range of performances, including an original piece by Canadian artist Chilly Gonzales, a rendition of Edith Piaf’s “Non, je ne regrette rien” by Christine and the Queens, and a heartfelt performance of “My Ability” by Lucky Love. The arrival of the Paralympic Flame was celebrated with music from Sébastien Tellier, and the ceremony closed with an energetic performance of “Born to Be Alive.”
Paris 2024 emphasized the connection between Olympic and Paralympic athletes, demonstrated by Florent Manaudou passing the Flame to Michael Jeremiasz. The ceremony honored three international Paralympic champions: Italian para fencer Bebe Vio, American Oksana Masters, and German Markus Rehm.
Twelve French and international Paralympic champions carried the flame into the Jardin des Tuileries, culminating in the lighting of the Cauldron by five torchbearers from the French team, each a distinguished athlete in their own right.
The opening ceremony concluded with vibrant colors and music, the Place de la Concorde was transformed into a giant canvas, celebrating unity and hope. With the stage set, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are officially underway.
