The Paris Paralympics launch on Wednesday with a grand ceremony, marking the city’s return to the global stage after a successful Olympics.
This edition will feature a mix of new and veteran athletes competing in 18 of the 35 Olympic venues, including the Grand Palais and Stade de France.
The opening ceremony will be held at Place de la Concorde, the first time the event will take place outside the main stadium.
The Paralympic flame, originating from Stoke Mandeville in England, was transported to France via the Channel Tunnel.
Theatre director Thomas Jolly, who also directed the Olympics ceremony, emphasized the significance of placing Paralympic athletes in the heart of Paris, a city still largely inaccessible to wheelchair users.
Organizers have, however, ensured that Paris buses are wheelchair-friendly, and 1,000 specially adapted taxis are available.
Ticket sales, initially slow, have surged post-Olympics, with over 1.9 million sold.
The Games will spotlight both emerging talents, like 19-year-old American sprinter Ezra Frech, and seasoned athletes such as British sprinter Jonnie Peacock and Iranian volleyball giant Morteza Mehrzad.
International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons hopes the Games will refocus global attention on disability issues, which he feels have been overshadowed in recent years.
China will field a strong team, aiming to replicate their dominance in Tokyo, while host nation France looks to improve on their 2021 medal count. Ukraine will also compete despite the ongoing war, while athletes from Russia and Belarus will participate under a neutral flag, barred from the ceremonies due to their countries’ suspension.
