he Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées will be filled with 4,400 para-athletes during the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games, taking place today (August 28, 9:00 PM). This luxurious Parisian setting aims to highlight “all bodies,” according to the organizers.
Around 30,000 spectators seated in stands at Place de la Concorde, in the heart of Paris, will watch this three-hour ceremony, directed by Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Games.
Additionally, 15,000 people will view the athletes’ parade from a free space at the lower end of the Champs-Élysées, while another 30,000 will witness the final part of the ceremony, including the lighting of the Olympic cauldron near the Louvre.
As with the internationally recognized July 26th ceremony, this event takes place outside the Olympic stadium, and organizers assure that the “level of ambition” remains the same.
Approximately 4,400 para-athletes from 168 delegations will parade down the Champs-Élysées to the central stage at Place de la Concorde, where a performance titled “Paradox,” focusing on the human body, will take place.
“The theme was to question societal agreements: ‘Do we agree, especially on disability issues?'” Jolly reflected during a rehearsal.
Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman, known for his grand productions like flooding stages with water or showering green balls in Paris’ Opéra Garnier, is the lead choreographer, collaborating with disabled dancers for the first time. About 20 out of 150 dancers have disabilities.
Around 4,400 para-athletes will participate in the parade, including 240 French athletes, led by flagbearers Nantenin Keita and Alexis Hanquinquant.
Though no major artistic stars are expected, the celebration promises a “crossroads of musical repertoires,” with music once again composed by Victor Le Masne.
The costumes, designed by French stylist Louis-Gabriel Nouchi, promise feathers, gold, and embroidery in blue-white-red, the colors of the French flag.
The Olympic cauldron will be reignited, flying over the Parisian skyline during the Olympic Games.
The Closing Ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 8, at Stade de France, featuring a massive electronic concert with 24 artists, including Jean-Michel Jarre, Cassius, and Kavinsky.
For accessibility, the event offers live interpretation in French sign language, subtitles, and audio descriptions for the public and athletes, with tickets ranging from €150 to €700 online.
The event will be secured by around 15,000 police officers, according to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.
