The much-anticipated Paris Paralympics 2024 kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Stade de France, celebrating diversity, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. Leading the Indian contingent was star javelin thrower Sumit Antil, the gold medalist from the Tokyo Paralympics, alongside swimmer Bhagyashri Jadhav, as they proudly carried the Indian flag in front of a packed stadium and millions of viewers worldwide.

Thousands of athletes paraded down the renowned Champs-Elysées avenue to Place de la Concorde in central Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron formally opened the Paralympic Games against the backdrop of a setting sun. The ceremony was witnessed by around fifty thousand people on stands erected around the famous square, the largest in Paris and visible from a distance courtesy to its ancient Egyptian Obelisk. Pavement strips were installed over the square and along the avenue to make it easier for athletes in wheelchairs to access the area.

From Thursday until September 8, more than 4,000 athletes with mental, physical, and visual disabilities will compete in 22 sports. Over two million of the 2.8 million tickets for the several Paralympic events have reportedly been sold, according to the organizers.

India’s contingent, consisting of over 60 athletes, is its largest-ever at a Paralympic Games. The team is set to compete across various disciplines, including athletics, swimming, archery, badminton, and shooting. Expectations are high, with several athletes, including Sumit Antil, Pramod Bhagat, Manish Narwal, and Rubina Francis, among the favorites to win medals.

With the opening ceremony setting a vibrant tone, the stage is set for what promises to be an unforgettable Paralympic Games in Paris. As the competitions begin, all eyes will be on the Indian athletes who are ready to take on the world and bring glory to the nation.