Paralympic Games: a unique, accessible and inclusive ceremony

Rekindle the flame. That was the goal of the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympic Games, which took place on Wednesday, August 28, 17 days after the closing of the Olympic Games. The sun was out this time. So was the emotion.

Date
1 September 2024
Author
Ophélia Pinto
READ
3 min

Inclusion at the heart of the Games and the Opening Ceremony

For the first time in the history of the Paralympic Games, the ceremony took place not in a stadium, as usual, but on the emblematic Champs-Élysées avenue, offering a unique spectacle accessible to all. With the Arc de Triomphe as a backdrop, this unprecedented event was much more than a simple kick-off to the competitions : it was a bold statement in favor of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Celebrating and uniting beyond differences

As with the first ceremony, dance and music were at the heart of the evening. Able-bodied and disabled dancers performed in perfect harmony. The choreography, designed to bring out the best in all bodies, reflected the spirit of the Paralympic Games: a celebration of differences, where every individual, whatever their abilities, is invited to shine.

A collective awareness

The Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games scheduled for September 8 will bring 12 days of events and festivities to a close. The organizers hope that these Paralympic Games, beyond the competitions, will contribute to raising awareness for social and sporting inclusion. In this spirit, the EuroGames position themselves as fervent supporters of para-athletes and the values they represent.

Eurogames Lyon 2025

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