Paris 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony begins

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremonial began successful glorious conditions arsenic astir 4,400 athletes made their measurement on nan Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde.

As pinch nan Olympic Games, nan Paralympic Games opening ceremonial is taking spot extracurricular of a stadium for nan first clip successful nan French capital.

The main ceremonial is being held astatine Place de la Concorde, connected a cleanable summertime evening successful nan bosom of nan city, pursuing a parade on nan Champs-Elysees from nan Arc de Triomphe.

Organisers estimate 65,000 group will beryllium present, pinch spectators capable to watch nan parade for free earlier nan ticketed open-air arena astatine Place de la Concorde.

Blue, achromatic and reddish fume of nan Tricolore was released by nan Patrouille de France aerial show squad successful clear skies earlier nan athletes made their entrance.

The first of 11 days of sporting action takes spot connected Thursday arsenic France hosts a summertime Paralympic Games for nan first time.

Athletes from 184 delegations are group to return portion successful nan 22 Paralympic sports, competing for a full of 549 golden medals successful Paris.

Artistic head Thomas Jolly promised nan opening ceremonial would beryllium "a spectacle that will showcase nan Paralympic athletes and nan values that they embody", and characteristic "performances that person ne'er been seen before".

Wheelchair tennis jock Lucy Shuker and wheelchair hoops subordinate Terry Bywater will transportation nan British emblem for ParalympicsGB.

Sprinter Nantenin Keita and Para-triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant are nan French flagbearers astatine nan opening ceremony.

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons believes Paris will present "the astir spectacular Paralympic Games ever".