Paris To Host First-Ever Paralympic Games With Grand Opening Ceremony

Paris will host its inaugural Paralympic Games starting on 28th August with a grand opening ceremony in the city's centre. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will run until 8th September, featuring 4,400 athletes from across the globe. Competitions will be held in 22 sports at iconic venues such as the Eiffel Tower, Chateau de Versailles, and Grand Palais.

The opening ceremony will commence at 20:00 local time at Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées. Athletes from 186 delegations will parade to mark the beginning of 11 days of competition starting on 29th August. The event will take place outside a stadium, with athletes marching down the famous avenue and concluding at the iconic square.

The UAE delegation includes 14 male and female athletes competing in five sports: shooting, athletics, weightlifting, cycling, and judo. Ahmed Al Badawawi from the cycling team and Maryam Al Zayoudi from the national Paralympic track and field team will raise the UAE flag during the parade of participating delegations.

The Torch relay will arrive in Paris on 28th August after travelling through 50 cities. It began its journey from Stoke Mandeville in England, known as the birthplace of Paralympic sport. This relay symbolises unity and anticipation for the upcoming games.

"This ceremony at the heart of the city is a strong symbol illustrating our ambition to capitalise on our country hosting its first-ever Paralympic Games to position the issue of inclusion for people with disabilities at the heart of our society," said Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President.

The event aims to highlight inclusion for people with disabilities by hosting it prominently within Paris. Thousands of spectators are expected to witness this historic moment as athletes parade through one of Paris's most famous avenues.

As preparations continue, excitement builds for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of athleticism and inclusivity. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are set to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

With inputs from WAM