The Summer Paralympics Commence with Notable Expectations
Pumping tunes, a vibrant spectrum of hues, and a strong pledge: Paris kicks off the 17th Summer Paralympics at a renowned location, showcasing a novel, modern spectacle that encourages the world for more inclusivity. The lively festivities on the Champs-Élysées and the Place de la Concorde are not only intended to serve as the kick-off for "the best games ever".
At 22:37, French President Emmanuel Macron delivers the concluding line: "I declare the 17th Paralympic Summer Games in Paris open." This marks the commencement of eleven competition days in the French capital, where 549 verdicts will be handed out in 22 sports.
"Live on, the revolution of inclusion"
"It has been proven that we must do more. 225 years ago, the Place de la Concorde was the epicenter of the French Revolution, and I hope that the spark for the inclusion revolution will also ignite here. Live on, the revolution of inclusion," stated Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee. "History is being crafted now," Tony Estanguet, the organizer-in-chief, exclaimed to the audience.
Acclaimed actor Jackie Chan was also a part of the Paralympic manifesto. Over 50,000 spectators flocked to the Champs-Élysées and the heart of the opening party, the Place de la Concorde, which was transformed into a colossal arena around the ancient Luxor obelisk, the city's oldest monument.
Contrary to the wet ceremony of the Olympic Games less than a month prior, the weather cooperated. With a comfortable 25 degrees and clear skies, the approximately 4400 athletes covered the approximately 300-meter-long route from the starting point Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
Asphalt coating on traditional stone pavements
To ensure easy accessibility for the disabled athletes on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, a temporary asphalt layer was laid over the traditional cobblestones. Unlike the Olympic opening ceremony on the Seine, spectators were also permitted to witness the proceedings along the grand boulevard and in the vicinity of the Louvre Museum, where the Paralympic torch was lit. People lined up in groups of five.
Before it grew dark, the German team, led by flag bearers Edina Müller and Martin Schulz, entered the historic square as the fourth nation at 20:25, where Olympic competitions such as 3x3 basketball or skateboarding were held. On the podium, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender welcomed the German team with 143 participants and five guides.
"I am confident that we will have a fantastic start and then be propelled forward by a wave of excitement," said DBS President Friedhelm Julius Beucher. However, some athletes, including several wheelchair basketball players whose first preliminary round game is already scheduled for Thursday morning at 10:30, departed the ceremony before the team had completed a lap around the Luxor obelisk at the celebration's center. After all, there are more significant matters than an unforgettable spectacle.
In the heart of the celebrations, the Champs-Élysées and the Place de la Concorde in Paris, where the Paralympic Games were officially opened, are reminiscent of the historical French Revolution site at the Place de la Concorde. As visitors thronged to witness the spectacle, disabled athletes were granted easy accessibility on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, with a temporary asphalt layer laid over the traditional cobblestones.
