See the Best Photos from the 2024 Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris

Mar. 15, 2025

Dancers open the Paralympic opening ceremony at Place de la Concorde in Paris, France for the Summer Paralympics.Photo:Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty

28 August 2024, France, Paris: Paralympics, Paris 2024, opening ceremony, Place de la Concorde. The opening ceremony of the Paralympic Summer Games begins with a dance and music show.

Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty

With the thrill of the 2024 Summer Olympics still abuzz in Paris, 4,400 athletes with disabilities, permanent injuries or impairments kicked off the Summer Paralympics in an opening ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

See the best images from the 2024 Paralympic opening ceremony below:

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The ceremony begins with a dance show at Place de la Concorde

Dancers perform during the opening act at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Place de la Concorde on August 28, 2024 in Paris, France.

Alex Slitz/Getty

Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said, “We are at the heart of the city,” in a statement to the AP, adding, “The symbolism behind this is like the city of Paris is giving our athletes a gigantic hug.”

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Nicky Nieves and Steve Sario carry the Team USA flag

Nicky Nieves and Steve Serio, Flag Bearers of Team United States.Elsa/Getty

Nicky Nieves and Steve Serio, Flag Bearers of Team United States, hold their national flag as they parade during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Place de la Concorde on August 28, 2024 in Paris, France.

Elsa/Getty

Wheelchair basketball athlete Steve Serio and sitting volleyball star Nicky Nievesled the charge for Team USA, carrying the American flag through the Champs-Elysees toward Place de la Concorde, which was where Olympic events including skateboarding, 3x3 basketball and breaking took place.

03of 07Dancing takes center stageA moment of the show during the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via GettySpeaking to Olympics.com before the event began, the opening ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly said the event will “showcase the Paralympic athletes and the values that they embody.”

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Dancing takes center stage

A moment of the show during the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty

A moment of the show during the Opening Ceremony on day 0 of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Place de la Concorde on August 28, 2024 in Paris, France.

Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty

Speaking to Olympics.com before the event began, the opening ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly said the event will “showcase the Paralympic athletes and the values that they embody.”

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Christine and the Queens kicks off the festivities

Christine and the Queens performs during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Place de la Concorde on August 28, 2024 in Paris, France.

Marco Mantovani/Getty

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Phyrges sighting!

Paralympic mascot Phyrges at the opening ceremony.GONZALO FUENTES/POOL/AFP via Getty

The Paralympic mascot the Phryge perform in front of the Obelisque de Louxor (Luxor Obelisk) at the Place de la Concorde during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in Paris on August 28, 2024.

GONZALO FUENTES/POOL/AFP via Getty

IPC president Parsons told the AP that out of 2.5 million tickets for the Paralympic events, 2 million have been sold.

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Breathtaking views at the Louvre

The smoke trail in the colours of the French national flag, released by the French Air Force Elite acrobatic flying team “Patrouille de France”, is seen over the Pyramide du Louvre designed by Chinese-US architect Ieoh Ming Pei, during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in Paris on August 28, 2024.

CHRISTOPHE DELATTRE/AFP via Getty

The city of Paris raised the bar as an Olympic host this year, uniquely

07of 07Team Nigeria Arrives2024 Paralympic Opening Ceremony in Paris, France.Elsa/GettyLeading the way for Team Nigeria was flagbearer Lauritta Onye, holding their national flag as they parade through the streets of Paris.The Paralympic athletes enjoyed much better weather during their outdoor ceremony than the Olympic opening ceremony on Aug. 11, which saw heavy downpours as athletes rode down the Seine River on boats.

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Team Nigeria Arrives

2024 Paralympic Opening Ceremony in Paris, France.Elsa/Getty

Lauritta Onye, Flag Bearer of Team Nigeria, holds their national flag as they parade during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Place de la Concorde on August 28, 2024 in Paris, France.

Leading the way for Team Nigeria was flagbearer Lauritta Onye, holding their national flag as they parade through the streets of Paris.

The Paralympic athletes enjoyed much better weather during their outdoor ceremony than the Olympic opening ceremony on Aug. 11, which saw heavy downpours as athletes rode down the Seine River on boats.

To learn more about all the Olympic champions and Paralympic hopefuls, come topeople.comto check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Paris Paralympics, beginning Aug. 28, on NBC and Peacock.

source: people.com