Paralympic Opening Ceremony – What Happened?

Last night saw the Paralympic Opening Ceremony take place outside of a stadium for the first time – however instead of being transported on the River Siene in boats like in the Olympic Opening Ceremony, athletes travelled in a parade on the beautiful Champs-Élysées.

The two flag bearers for Team GB were Terry Bywater (wheelchair basketball player) and Lucy Shuker (wheelchair tennis player). They both described feeling humbled and proud in an interview with BC Sport after being chosen as flag bearers by their teammates.

Once the clock stroke 7pm (BST), the ceremony began! To kick off the evening, was a clip of French para swimmer Theo Curin creating and driving a (pretty iconic) taxi covered in hundreds of Phryges (Paris Olympic and Paralympic mascot).

Titled “From Discord to Concord: A Reflection on the Place of People with Disabilities in Society” the ceremony displayed the reality of a “society that claims to be inclusive but remains full of prejudice towards people with disabilities.”

The celebration started with one of five artistic dance pieces choreographed by Alexander Ekman. Through-out the performance there were 140 artists and 16 performers with disabilities.

Following a slightly slow start with the artistic performance, the atmosphere picked up when French singer/ songwriter Christine and the Queens took to the stage for a fantastic show.

Shortly after, Curin drove up in his iconic taxi before announcing “Welcome to Paris!” whilst the French flag was painted into the sky.

This started the parade of athletes in French alphabetical order, starting with Afghanistan. There was a total of 164 delegations, which includes the Paralympic Refugee Team. Teams, big and small, were there to celebrate and party – with many athletes dancing down La Concorde.

Team GB flag bearers Bywater and Shuker paraded side by side, leading Team GB into a roaring applause from over 35,000 fans.

As the parade finished, French artist Lucky Love performed the song “My Ability” whilst dancers expressed the strictness of our society before leading to an awakening where they realised their prejudices through dance.

To start the conclusion of the opening ceremony, the French national anthem “The Marseillaise” echoed across the plaza as the French flag rose and the Eiffel Tower lit up.

Concluding the ceremony, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympics and Paralympics, Tony Estanguet, gave a heartfelt and inspiring speech. Followed by the head of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons relayed a powerful message, previously shared by many Paralympians prior to the games “These Paralympians are not here to participate.

“They are here to compete, win, and smash world records.

“But they are also here for equality for the nearly 1.3 billion people around the world with disabilities.

“They will redefine what you think is possible.”

As the ceremony came to a close it was refreshing to have had a successful opening ceremony following the criticisms of the Olympic Opening Ceremony. With 11 action packed days of sport kicking off today, these games will shine through athletes’ success, determination, sportsmanship, and humanity.