Paralympics Kick off in Paris

The Paralympics opening ceremony took place in Paris during the last week of August, with over 35,000 people in attendance and 300 million watching on television. 

The event began with a parade from the Arc de Triomphe down the iconic Avenue des Champs-Élysées and ended at the Place de la Concorde.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were both in attendance. 

Five French athletes lit the Paralympic cauldron, including Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault, Elodie Lorandi, Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keïta. 

The President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, told the ceremony,  “At a time of growing conflict and exclusion, let sport bring us together. Let sport serve as a powerful force for good.” 

The sporting events began on Thursday, August 29 and will continue for eleven days. 

There are approximately 4,400 athletes from 168 delegations participating in the games, which consists of 22 sports.