Para-athletes representing 168 delegations enter historic square; Macron declares 2024 Paralympics open
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games' opening ceremony was held Wednesday in the French capital as the games officially started.
French President Emmanuel Macron and International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons attended the ceremony at the historic Place de la Concorde square.
Macron thanked everyone as he officially declared the Paris 2024 Paralympics open.
Canadian musician, songwriter and producer Chilly Gonzales and singers and dancers as well as a DJ performed during the opening ceremony to cheer the crowd.
Most of the 4,400 para-athletes representing 168 delegations, including the refugee team, arrived at the square on foot, walking on Champs-Elysees Avenue to salute the spectators.
This year's Paralympic Games will run through Sept. 8. The sporting events, which will start Thursday, will be held in Paris and its suburbs.
The 2024 Paralympics feature 22 sports and 23 disciplines that include blind football, boccia, goalball, Para archery, Para athletics, Para badminton, Para canoe, Para cycling road, Para cycling track, Para equestrian, Para judo, Para powerlifting, Para rowing, Para swimming, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, Para triathlon, shooting Para sport, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
The games will be held at 18 venues, including the Stade de France, Stade Roland-Garros, the Eiffel Tower Stadium, Pont Alexandre III and Grand Palais.
Paris and France are hosting their first-ever Paralympic Summer Games.
