Paris is gearing up for the start of the Paralympic Games, following the recent conclusion of the Olympics. Over 4,000 athletes with various impairments are set to compete in 22 sports during the 11-day event.
The opening ceremony is expected to be a grand affair, with organizers promising a visually stunning show. Unlike the Olympic opening ceremony, which featured a boat parade on the Seine River, the Paralympic ceremony will take place on land. Athletes will parade down the iconic Champs-Elysées to the ceremony at the Place de la Concorde.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly, who also oversaw the Olympics opening ceremony, has assured that the event will highlight the Paralympic athletes and the values they represent. Spectators can anticipate performances that are said to be unprecedented.
With more than 2 million tickets already sold, the Paris Paralympics are expected to draw large crowds. Competition is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, with the first medals being awarded in taekwondo, table tennis, and track cycling. Athletes are categorized based on their impairment levels to ensure fair competition. Only two sports on the program, goalball and boccia, do not have an equivalent in the Olympics.
International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons expressed the significance of having enthusiastic crowds in Paris, especially after many athletes competed in front of empty stands during the Tokyo Paralympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parsons emphasized the importance of creating a vibrant atmosphere to support the athletes and elevate the Paralympic Games as a transformative sporting event.
For more information on the Paralympics, visit AP Paralympics.
