The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are kicking off today, August 28, with a groundbreaking Opening Ceremony at 8:00 PM local time (CET). This is the first time Paris is hosting the Paralympics, and the city has taken a bold step by moving the ceremony out of a stadium and into the heart of Paris. The event will be held at the iconic Place de la Concorde and along the Champs-Elysées, transforming these landmarks into a stunning stage for the global celebration of Paralympic sport.

The ceremony will feature a grand parade of 184 delegations, representing over 4,400 athletes from around the world. It will be a spectacular display of unity and inclusivity, with 65,000 spectators expected to line the streets of Paris, and millions more tuning in globally. The ceremony will also include artistic performances, with Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman leading a dance-focused performance involving 150 dancers, symbolizing the Paralympic values of resilience and excellence.

The Games will run until September 8, 2024, featuring 22 sports, from wheelchair basketball to Para athletics, all hosted at some of Paris’s most iconic venues.