Paris 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony Highlights: Event comes to a glittering end after lighting of cauldron

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Signing off

That brings us to the end of our coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and boy was it quite impressive a show even if it wasn’t grand, in terms of budget and the number of performers among other factors, as the Olympic opening ceremony last month.

Time to shift our attention to events now starting with para-badminton at 12 noon today. As we bid you all bonsoir, we leave you with Thursday’s schedule for India para-athletes at the Paris Games as well as a clip of the cauldron being lit.

What a moment for Nantenin Keita, Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault, Elodie Lorandi and Alexis Hanquiquant 🔥#Paralympics pic.twitter.com/vW7zMlIQ9y

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: The opening ceremony comes to an end!

Christine and the Queens returns to the stage for the closing act, their performance accompanied by fireworks above the stage at Place de la Concorde!

With that, the Opening Ceremony comes to an end, and it’s time for sporting action to take centre-stage!

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Paralympic cauldron lit at Tuileries Garden!

The Paralympic flame is carried to Jardin des Tuileries, the Parisian landmark where the Olympic cauldron had been lit last month.

And it’s the familiar hot-air balloon cauldron that is at the heart of the iconic gardens, waiting to be lit once again.

Unlike the Olympic opening ceremony which had just two individuals lighting the cauldron, the Paralympic version has five para-athletes lighting it, including Paris 2024 flag-bearers for France Nantenin Keita and Alexis Hanquinquant.

In case you forgot, Paris is where the first hot-air balloon was flown in 1783 and the opening ceremony of both the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics intends to honour that.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Paralympic flame arrives at the venue, cauldron to be lit soon

Right then, the Paralympic flame makes its way to Place de la Concorde at the end of the relay that began in Stoke Mandeville, with Florent Manaudou — France’s male flag-bearer in Olympic opening ceremony last month — carrying it initially before passing it to other Paralympic legends.

His arrival marks the beginning of what might just be the most dazzling routine so far this evening, performed by artists holding replica torches in their hands.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Paralympic oath read out by four French para-athletes

The hoisting of the Paralympic flag is followed by the Paralympic oath, which is read out by four French para-athletes.

The is followed by a video segment showing the Paralympic torch’s journey from Stoke Mandeville in England to the host city Paris.

Onto the final segment of the Opening Ceremony then – the lighting of the torch.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Paralympic flag raised at Place de la Concorde

After the dance routine, the Paralympic flag is brought on stage by John McFall, a British Paralympian who also happens to be a surgeon as well as an astronaut with the European Space Agency — making for a hell of an impressive CV!

The flag is then raised while the Paralympic anthem is performed by Luan Pommier.

The Olympic opening ceremony had witnessed the Olympic flag being hoisted upside down. Looks like they’ve got their act right in the Paralympic opening ceremony.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

A video segment follows President Macron’s statement, that is then followed by another spectacular dance routine performed by disabled artists in a display that isn’t just impressive, but also inspirational.

“It’s difficult to tell if you’re watching a dance performance, a sports game, or an art piece,” say the organisers regarding the current routine, branding it “sportography”.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

Eiffel Tower in the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Champs-Elysee in the Paralympic version. Two Parisian landmarks in full glory in Paris 2024!

Wow. 🇫🇷#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/BimZP7xQP9

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

A glimpse through Paralympic history

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: French president Macron declares the Games ‘Open’!

After Estanguet and Parsons, it’s time for French President Emmanuel Macron to make the most important announcement of them all — declaring the 2024 Paris Paralympics “Open”!

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

Great Britain, led by Terry Bywater and Lucy Shuker in the Opening Ceremony, will be hoping for a bigger haul than the 124 medals that had won in Tokyo 2020, which helped them finish second on the table ahead of USA.

We’ve arrived. #ParalympicsGB 🇬🇧🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/g24tLQeZ6W

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: China makes its way to Place de la Concorde

Wheelchair fencer Gu Haiyan and weightlifter Qi Yongkai lead the Chinese contingent, which had topped the medal table at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago, as the ‘Parade of Nations’ moves onto countries starting with ‘C’.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: IPC president Andrew Parsons addresses the crowd

Andrew Parsons, the president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), is next on the mic!

“Paralympians are here to achieve something far more than their goals… they are here to achieve equality and recognition” says the Brazilian of Scottish origin, who later hopes Paris 2024 is the start of the ‘Inclusion Revolution’.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Paris 2024 President addresses the crowd

Speech time at the opening ceremony, and the first of the speakers is Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024 Organising Committee!

“We are determined to give everything our heart, our soul, and the very best of France,” says Estanguet in English after a speech in French. He even quips about the weather, which has stayed clear tonight after a rain-soaked evening a month ago.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: The French national anthem’s played at Place de la Concorde

A goosebumps-inducing instrumental version of the French national anthem La Marseillaise is played as the Tricolore is raised at Place de la Concorde.

This is after a video segment highlighting some of the greatest moments in Paralympic history and a performance by French artist Lucky Love who is accompanied by dancers, several of whom are wheelchair-bound.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Three nations make their debut.

As the athletes’ parade comes to an end, it’s worth noting that three nations, Eritrea, Kiribati and Kosovo, just marched out for the first time in Paralympic history.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Australia, USA and hosts France conclude athletes' parade

As had been the case with the Olympic opening ceremony, Australia, USA and France conclude the athletes parade as the last three national contingents to march to Place de la Concorde.

Australia and USA will be hosting the 2032 and 2028 Olympics in Brisbane and Los Angeles respectively while France walk out as the host nation.

Australia are led by Madison de Rozario and Brenden Hall while USA are led by Nicky Nieves and Steve Serio. Carrying the flags for the hosts are Nantenin Keita and Alexis Hanquinquant.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Standing ovation for Ukraine, Palestine and the Refugee Paralympic Team!

The Ukrainian and Palestinian contingents receive a standing ovation from those present at Place de la Concorde, as does the Refugee Paralympic Team!

Both Ukraine and Palestine find their nations turned into warzones at the moment.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

Daiki Ishiyama and An Nishida lead a massive 181-member contingent at the Paralympic opening ceremony!

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Watch Team India arrive in style!

Here’s the Indian contingent making a grand entrance at Place de la Concorde:

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Greeks wave their flags as well as that of French

Here’s the Greek contingent waving both their national flags as well as that of the host nation France in what is an interesting move on their part!

Also worth noting the fact that Greece aren’t the first nation in the athletes’ parade as is the tradition in the Olympic opening ceremony. Here’s they follow the alphabetical order of the official language of the host nation.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Brazil bring their trademark festive spirit with them!

Onto the nations starting with B, and it’s the Brazilians who waltz their way into Place de la Concorde, bringing with them a carnival-like atmosphere! Doesn’t matter what event they participate in, the samba-like atmosphere’s permanent!

One nation starting with ‘B’ that isn’t there in Opening Ceremony is Belarus, which along with Russia has been banned from both the Olympics and Paralympics for its invasion of Ukraine. The one nation that is there though is Bangladesh, which returns to the Paralympics after 16 years!

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Team India are in the house!

Sumit Jadhav and Bhagyashree Jadhav lead what is the largest Indian team ever assembled for the Paralympics!

The nation is represented by 84 athletes, who will be hoping to surpass the 19 medals that they had won in Tokyo three years ago, including five gold — their biggest Paralympic medal haul till date!

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: A fly-past precedes the ‘Parade of Nations’

We have a fly-past over the ‘City of Light’ with the French aerobatics team — Patrouille Acrobatique de France — leaving a trail of smoke that form the colours of the French national flag.

That is followed by the ‘Parade of Nations’, which starts from the iconic ‘Champs-Elysee’ that is down the road!

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Afghanistan the first nation in the athletes’ parade!

The ‘Parade of Nations’ gets underway with Afghanistan the first national contingent in the ceremony. That is followed by South Africa (Afrique du Sud).

Remember, as was the case with the Olympic opening ceremony, the national contingents will come out in French alphabetical order. Also, the para-athletes are lined up all the way to the Champs-Elysee that’s down the road from Place de la Concorde.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Christine and the Queens up next

French artist Christine and the Queens arrives on stage while the black-and-white-clad dancers continue performing, as a rendition of Edith Piaf’s iconic ‘Non, je ne Regrette Rien’ follows.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE:

Here’s a very special individual carrying the torch for the 2024 Paralympics!

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Watch French para-swimmer Theo Curin make a grand entrance

Here’s French para-swimmer Theo Curin and his special ‘taxi’, as seen in the opening montage

Talk about arriving in style! 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/UVcTaMZGbo

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

Canadian pianist Chilly Gonzales is the first performer of the evening, and he is accompanied by a group of dancers wearing black-and-white suits, resembling ‘Men in Black’ agents, dancing on the stage.

The dancers are joined shortly after by Curin, whose pink taxi covered with the Paris 2024 mascot, arrives at Place de la Concorde — where stands have been set up for the Opening Ceremony.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

While the Olympic opening montage starred French football star Zinedine Zidane, the one for the Paralympics features French para-swimmer Théo Curin, who drives around the ‘City of Light’ in the video in a taxi covered with the Paris 2024 mascot, Phryge, exclaiming ““Welcome to Paris!”.

The event, btw, is officially titled ‘Paradox: from discord to concord’.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

A visual of some of France’s paralympic athletes saying “welcome to Paris” is being shown. The anchors then introduce the President of France, Emmanuel Macron and Andrew Parsons, the president of International Paralympic Committee.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Opening Ceremony is underway in the 'City of Light'!

Right then, the Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony is underway, and as was the case with the Olympics last month, it opens with a pre-recorded video montage.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Who are India's medallists in past Paralympics?

Overall in 12 editions, India have won 31 medals including nine gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze. Murlikant Petkar was the first Indian to win a Paralympic medal when he won gold at the Heidelberg 1972 Games. Devendra Jhajharia is the only Indian to win multiple gold medals. Click here to read the full story.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Where will the opening ceremony take place?

While the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony had taken place along River Seine, which had played host to a floating ‘Parade of Nations’, along with the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero Palace, the Paralympics Opening Ceremony will be taking place at a couple of other iconic locations in the ‘City of Light’ — Place de la Concorde and Champs-Elysees.

What’s common between the two is the fact that they’re taking place outside the confines of a stadium in a departure from tradition.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Who are India's flag-bearers at the Opening Ceremony?

The Indian contingent for the Paris Paralympics, its biggest ever with 84 athletes, will be led by javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shot-putter Bhagyashree Jadhav, who had been selected as the flag-bearers.

Antil had won gold in the Tokyo Games three years ago and will be aiming for a second consecutive top-of-the-podium finish in Paris.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Where can I watch the Paris Paralympics opening ceremony online in India?

Viewers in India can tune into the live coverage of the 2024 Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony on the Sports18 channels or tune into the live stream on the JioCinema website and app.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Where can one purchase tickets for the Paralympic opening ceremony?

Tickets for the Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony, along with the other events, can be purchased on the ‘Paris 2024 Tickets’ website and app.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: Who are the artists performing at Paris Paralympics opening ceremony?

Thomas Jolly, who had directed the unique but controversial opening ceremony for the Olympics that had taken place on 26 July, will also be directing the Paralympic opening ceremony, with both events taking place outside a stadium at Parisian landmarks.

And much like the Olympic opening ceremony, Jolly has decided to keep the list of performers a secret. What we do know however, is the fact that Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekamn is choreographing the event and Victor Le Masne composing the music.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE: The 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony will be taking place a little over an hour from now.

The Paralympic opening ceremony will be taking place at 8 pm local time, which is 11.30 pm Indian Standard Time.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony LIVE

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2024 Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony, which takes place a little over a couple of weeks since the Olympics in the ‘City of Light’ came to a star-studded end at the Stade de France.

It also takes place a month after Paris had hosted a unique Olympic opening ceremony. Both events are directed by Thomas Jolly and will be taking place outside the traditional confines of a stadium.