Just 17 days after the closure of the Olympic Games in Paris, the French capital welcomed in the 2024 Paralympics with a spectacular opening ceremony.

After the torrential downpour that accompanied the start of the Games down the River Seine last month, the weather gods were much kinder this time around with the event taking place on a perfect summer evening.

The main ceremony was held at Place de la Concorde in the heart of the city, following a parade along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées from the Arc de Triomphe.

More than 65,000 people watched on as smoke in the form of the French tricolore was released by the Patrouille de France aerial display team into clear skies as the athletes made their entrance.

President Emmanuel Macron declared the Paralympic Games open, kicking off 11 days of sporting competition where more than 4,400 athletes from 184 delegations will take part in the 22 sports, competing for a total of 549 gold medals and 1,647 in total.

Delivered on promise

The pouring rain that welcomed in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in July was a distant memory, as Artistic director Thomas Jolly put on a show to kickstart the Paralympics.

There was no sailing on boats down the river, instead the iconic Place de la Concorde and Champs-Elysees took centre stage.

The promise was for “a spectacle that will showcase the Paralympic athletes and the values that they embody”, and that is what was delivered, as it strongly promoted inclusion for people with disabilities.

There were more than 500 artists taking part as they performed a mix of music and dance.

The balloon rises once more

The all-important flame was carried to Jardin des Tuileries, the same Parisian landmark where the Olympic cauldron had been lit several weeks earlier.

The same hot-air balloon cauldron that was at the heart of the iconic gardens, was lit once again to illuminate the French capital’s skyline to honour the fact that the city was where the first hot-air balloon was flown, way back in 1783.

Competition in twenty-two sports

As the action begins, there will be competition in 22 sports, namely: Para archery, Para athletics, Para badminton, Blind football, Boccia, Para canoe, Para cycling, Para equestrian, Goalball, Para judo, Para powerlifting, Para rowing, Shooting para sport, Sitting volleyball, Para swimming, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, Para triathlon, Wheelchair basketball, Wheelchair fencing, Wheelchair rugby, and Wheelchair tennis.

Paralympic only

Two of those sports are Paralympic-only sports with no Olympic equivalent; those being Boccia and Goalball.

Boccia is similar to boules or pétanque, whereby athletes try to get a soft leather ball closest to the “jack”. It became a Paralympic sport in 1984 and is designed for people with impaired locomotor function. It can be thrown, kicked, or launched from a ramp on to the court.

Goalball is designed for athletes with visual impairments. It was actually invented in 1946 as a means of rehabilitation for Second World War veterans who had lost their sight. It consists of teams of three attempting to throw a ball with bells inside it into the opposition’s goal. It essentially requires skilful ear-hand coordination in order to locate the ball.

Classifications but above all… class!

In all the Paralympic sports there are numerous classifications, split into ten determining impairment types. These categories are: impaired muscle power, passive range of movement, limb deficiency, leg-length difference, short stature, hypertonia (increased muscle tension), ataxia (uncoordinated movement), athertosis (slow, involuntary movements), vision impairment, and intellectual impairment.

The unwavering determination and dedication to their individual sports is matched by a wonderful spirit that will undoubtedly be evident throughout the next 11 days.