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Antil and Jadhav served as the flag-bearers for the biggest Indian team ever assembled for the Paralympics, comprising 84 athletes — 30 more than in the Tokyo Games three years ago. read more
 "Sumit Antil, Bhagyashree Jadhav lead the way as India make grand entrance in Paris Paralympics opening ceremony")
The Indian contingent, led by javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shot-putter Bhagyashree Jadhav, arrive at Place de la Concorde during the Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony. Reuters
The 2024 Paralympics got underway in style in Paris on Wednesday with a spectacular opening ceremony that was filled with colour and hope.
The ‘City of Light’ is hosting the Paralympics for the first time ever a little over two weeks after hosting the Olympics for the third time. And much like the opening ceremony for the latter that took place on 26 July, the Paralympic opening ceremony also took place outside the traditional confines of a stadium.
A month ago, it was along River Seine where the ‘Parade of Nations’ took place in the form of a floating parade, with the remainder of the event taking place along the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero Palace.
The Paralympic opening ceremony, on the other hand, took place almost entirely at Place de la Concorde. The nearby landmark of Champs-Elysee marked the beginning of the athletes’ parade from where the national contingents marched towards the main venue.
As It Happened | Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony
Both ceremonies, however, concluded with the lighting of the cauldron attached to a hot-air balloon at Jardin de Tuileries.
Among the highlights of the event, at least from the Indian perspective, was the Indian contingent entering Place de la Concorde from Champs-Elysee, receiving a hearty applause from those present in the temporary stands including and especially the Indians, both spectators and officials.
Watch Team India make a grand entrance during the Paralympic opening ceremony:
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) August 28, 2024Javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shot-putter Bhagyashree Jadhav led the Indian contingent in the Paralympic opening ceremony as the two flag-bearers. Antil had won gold in the Tokyo 2020 Games and will be aiming to join the elite list of Indians with consecutive Paralympic gold medals.
India will be represented by 84 athletes at the 2024 Paralympics, and the nation will be hopeful of a medal haul that is even bigger than the 19 medals that they had won in Tokyo three years ago – their best display at the Paralympics since they made their debut in 1968.
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English (US) ·