The Opening Ceremony of the Paris Paralympics marked the first in history to take place outside of a stadium. With over 35,000 fans watching, athletes from 168 delegations paraded down the Champs-Élysées as the sun set over Paris.
The event was titled: "From Discord to Concord: A Reflection on the Place of People with Disabilities in Society," dedicating the Ceremony to convey the paradox between a "society that claims to be inclusive but remains full of prejudice towards people with disabilities." Alexander Ekman, who was chosen to choreograph the Ceremony, employed five artistic segments with 140 artists and 16 performers with disabilities.
The event began with French para swimmer Théo Curin driving a decked-out cab down the Champs-Élysées, an homage to popular French show "Théo Le Taxi." Curin's cab was decorated with hundreds of Phryges, the official mascot of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In front of the famous obelisk on the Place de la Concorde, the live action began with the introductions of French President Emmanuel Macron and of Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee.
From there, it was time to groove. The show continued with an elaborate song and dance show at the base of the La Concorde , with the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe looming in the background. Canadian musician Chilly Gonzales walked onto a makeshift stage and sat at a piano as hundreds of dancers began a choreographed set. French singer and songwriter Christine and the Queens then took the stage for a performance, adding to the musical celebration.
A few minutes later, Curin pulled up in his taxi and walked onto the stage. He faced the crowd and roared, "Welcome to Paris!" as the French colors shot into the sky.
Next up was the parade of athletes, beginning with Afghanistan and proceeding in mostly alphabetical order. After the following 164 delegations, including that of the Refugee Paralympic Team, the next two Olympic and Paralympic hosts, the United States and Australia, went right before the host French delegation. U.S. flag bearers Nicky Nieves and Steve Serio led the charge for the American delegation. Both enter Paris looking to add to medal collections that already features gold. Nieves, 34, was part of the women’s sitting volleyball team that won gold at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. Serio, 37, is a wheelchair basketball legend set to compete in his fifth Paralympics. The returning captain played on gold medal-winning teams in Rio and Tokyo.
After the Americans and Australians, the French burst onto the parade route to "Les Champs-Élysées," a catchy song by American-French singer Joe Dassin.
Each group of athletes paraded from the bottom of the Champs-Élysées, known as the “most beautiful avenue in the world," and entered the La Concorde arena, greeted by the Phryges.
Once the parade wrapped up, French artist Lucky Love sang “My Ability," another majestic performance. Dancers representing the “Strict Society” walked around the stage, observing the performers in the center. Symbolically, these dancers began to realize their prejudices, leading to their awakening and reflection, represented through dance.
The French National Anthem, “The Marseillaise”, then rang out, performed by Ensemble Matheus, as the French flag was raised and the Eiffel Tower lit up.
Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, gave a rousing speech in both French and English. Parsons then spoke and relayed a powerful message.
"These Paralympians are not here to participate," Parsons said. "They are here to compete, win and smash world records. ... But they are also here for equality for the nearly 1.3 billion persons around the world with disabilities. They will redefine what you think is possible."
Parsons then ceded the lectern to Macron, and the President of France officially declared the Paris Paralympic Games open. These are the first Paralympics in France since 1992, when the Winter Paralympic Games were held in Tignes and Albertville.
By the end of the Ceremony, the sun had fully set over Paris, setting the stage for the Paralympic Games to begin in just a few hours.