see, along with the competition's first two days' highlights
On Wednesday, August 28, Paris will host its inaugural Paralympic Games, kicking off with a spectacular Opening Ceremony in the heart of the city.
4,400 Paralympic athletes from 184 delegations will gather at Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées to mark the start of 11 days of competition, beginning on August 29.
The ceremony, led by Artistic Director Thomas Jolly, will "showcase the Paralympic athletes and the values they embody," he said, adding that the event will offer "performances never seen before" and unite spectators and global audiences around the spirit of the Games.
The event, set outside a traditional stadium, will feature athletes parading along the famous avenue and culminating in a grand celebration at Place de la Concorde in front of thousands of spectators.
Jitske Visser, Paralympic wheelchair basketball medallist and IPC Athletes' Commission President, expressed her excitement: "What an incredible moment for our athletes, participating in a historic Opening Ceremony on the world’s most famous avenue, surrounded by the charm of Paris."
Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President, highlighted the ceremony's symbolic significance: "This event in the heart of the city reflects our commitment to inclusion for people with disabilities, marking France's first-ever Paralympic Games."
Quick facts about the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony:
- 4,400 athletes
- 184 delegations
- 65,000 spectators
- Over 300 million viewers
- Parade along the Champs-Elysées to Place de la Concorde
- Four stages featuring unique artistic performances
August 29: Preview and Athletes to Watch
The first day of competition includes medal events in Para Cycling Track, Para Swimming, Para Table Tennis, and Para Taekwondo. ParalympicsGB’s Sarah Storey, the country's most decorated athlete, will aim to add to her 17 gold medals as she competes in her ninth consecutive Games, starting with the Para Cycling Track Time Trial C5 at 11:00 AM.
Wheelchair rugby kicks off with a highly anticipated clash between Australia and Great Britain at 10:30 AM. Australian star Ryley Batt will aim for a return to the top after a fourth-place finish at Tokyo 2020. In another match, the USA faces Canada at 12:30 PM, with Chuck Aoki chasing his first gold after two silvers and a bronze.
Preview and Athletes to Watch
Day two introduces Para Athletics and Shooting Para Sport to the list of medal events, alongside those from the previous day. France’s Tanguy de la Forest, fresh off a dominant performance at the Lima 2023 World Shooting Para Sport Championships, will compete in the R4 mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 at 12:30 PM. India’s Avani Lekhara will defend her title in the 10m air rifle SH1, with qualifications starting at 9:00 AM and the final at 11:45 AM.
How to Watch the Paralympic Games Paris 2024
You can catch the action on the Paralympic YouTube Channel and the International Paralympic Committee website. For a full list of global broadcasters, visit the official site.
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