Just a few weeks after the conclusion of the Olympics, Paris gears up for the commencement of the Paralympic Games. Over 4,000 athletes facing physical, visual, and intellectual challenges are set to partake in 22 different sports during the 11-day event.
The Paralympic Games are inaugurated with a grand opening ceremony, designed to be a dazzling spectacle. Unlike the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony, which took place on the Seine River, the Paralympics’ opening ceremony will occur entirely on land. Athletes will march down the renowned Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde, symbolizing the commencement of the Games.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly, who orchestrated the Olympics’ opening ceremony, assures that the Paralympic event will highlight the athletes and the values they stand for. He promises extraordinary performances never witnessed before at such an event.
Notably, more than 2 million tickets have been sold for the Paris Paralympics. The competitions kick off the following day with medals up for grabs in disciplines like taekwondo, table tennis, and track cycling. Athletes are categorized based on their impairment levels to ensure fair competition. Among the 22 sports featured, only goalball and boccia do not have equivalents in the Olympic Games.
President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, expressed his excitement for the projected large crowds in Paris. This starkly contrasts with the previous Paralympics in Tokyo, where athletes performed in front of empty seats due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parsons emphasized the importance of the lively atmosphere in Paris, stating that it holds significance for the athletes striving to showcase their skills on such a global platform in the hopes of transforming perspectives on adaptive sports.
