Updated
On 28 August 2024 at 8pm, the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées will be the setting for this unprecedented celebration imagined by Thomas Jolly. Here you can find all the highlights, reactions and beautiful images from the ceremony.
Key Moments
5 days ago
The Opening Ceremony comes to an end
5 days ago
The cauldron is lit!
5 days ago
Here is the Paralympic Flame!!
5 days ago
Here comes the Paralympic flag!
5 days ago
"I declare the Games open"
5 days ago
A new sequence full of emotions
5 days ago
The last delegation to parade... France!
5 days ago
The Refugee Paralympic Team is now parading
5 days ago
Paralympics GB arrives at the Place de la Concorde
5 days ago
Afghanistan starts the parade!
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/9108678e-b2a3-4a4d-a4c9-0ef7aeb8ff61
28 Aug 2024 21:47 GMT+0
This was just the beginning of the Paralympic Games!
The Opening Ceremony is now over, thanks everyone for following us tonight. Have a nice evening and see you tomorrow for the start of the competition!!! 😉
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/f740a4ba-b43f-4cc7-90e0-1e077ddcf59b
28 Aug 2024 21:41 GMT+0
Firework ends the show!
This celebration isn’t just about seeing change; it’s about being part of it. It’s about using creativity to shape a better future. “Concord” is achieved with 'Je t'aime moi non plus' from Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin.
fcd787ff7b8ba8df0635eb2312cc4377
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/d56003df-d507-4897-9401-e2efefc5805a
28 Aug 2024 21:40 GMT+0
Did you know?
This performance is inspired by and pays tribute to Sue Austin, a British artist with a disability. In “Traces from a Wheelchair”, one of her iconic series, she was the first artist to use the wheels of her wheelchair to paint.Sue Austin is an acclaimed international multimedia, performance and installation artist. Repurposing her wheelchair to create fantastical art, Sue aims to transform preconceptions through quirky, unexpected juxtapositions that empower discussions about disability and difference.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/5c301082-1cf1-462e-a85e-1472333ae957
28 Aug 2024 21:37 GMT+0
A big celebration coming
On the stage, wheelchairs spinning as light sculptures provide a new perspective. The performers flood the stage with colour, turning the ground into a giant canvas, painting a colourful piece right in front of us while a legendary Patrick Hernandez song, “Born to be Alive” rings out, sung by Christine and the Queens.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/f09740a8-e79d-4583-aec3-77f2d1abd69f
28 Aug 2024 21:37 GMT+0
As for the Olympic Games!
The Cauldron lit up the skies over Paris for the duration of the Olympic Games. Some 200,000
people came to see the balloon up close, not to mention all those who were able to admire it
from further away, from all over Paris. With the Paralympic Games, it will once again dazzle the
world!
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/9f05b542-9917-4f33-a465-eea4d23dcd44
28 Aug 2024 21:36 GMT+0
Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault and Elodie Lorandi join forces with Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keïta
The five athletes light the cauldron together! What a fantastic scene ❤️
Picture by 2024 Getty Images
GettyImages-2168147162
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/aafeaf73-2aa0-4167-9388-16b06faa401e
28 Aug 2024 21:32 GMT+0
Christian Lachaud, Béatrice Hess, Alexis Hanquinquant, Nantenin Keïta...
There are some big names holding the Flame as they reach the Jardin des Tuileries!
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/22f056f8-22e1-45ec-9694-6fc08515e484
28 Aug 2024 21:28 GMT+0
The Flame continues its path
Markus Rehm arrives at the Jardin des Tuileries. There, in the heart of the National Estate of the Louvre and Tuileries, the relay goes on until the lighting of the Cauldron. It flies away and lights up the Paris sky. And the German Para athlete gives it now to Assia El Hannouni!
Picture by 2024 Getty Images
GettyImages-2169105238
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/2a77e0ee-c0b0-4798-9b36-3e9ef425086a
28 Aug 2024 21:25 GMT+0
Markus Rehm, the German legend 🇩🇪
Oksana Masters gave the Flame to Markus Rehm, a German Para athlete with an amazing track record.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/734e2cc4-4427-4988-826a-f7c4d49b3ab1
28 Aug 2024 21:23 GMT+0
Some info of the ballet
The Bolero is one of the last works written by Maurice Ravel. This ballet music, composed in 1928, owes its creation to Ida Rubinstein, a Russian prima ballerina and patron of the arts, who asked Maurice Ravel to write Spanish-style ballet music for her to dance to. The composer thought of the bolero, a three-beat ballroom and theatrical dance that had appeared in Spain in the 18th century. He dedicated the piece to her, and she performed it on stage the same year.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/c7a19934-c3b1-432d-871b-1aa047616b5a
28 Aug 2024 21:22 GMT+0
Oksana Masters, ladies and gentlemen 🇺🇸
The ladies are here! The American now holds the Flame just in front of the obelisk, as the Bolero continues to resonate at the Place de la Concorde!
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/87ad8077-2613-441c-8852-6545faec2ba4
28 Aug 2024 21:21 GMT+0
Beatrice Viooooo 🇮🇹
The Italian Wheelchair fencer is now holding the Flame. What an inspiration! 😍
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/18af2ef0-c948-4aeb-8428-67b1095a5ff7
28 Aug 2024 21:18 GMT+0
The Flame attends a great show
Former Wheelchair tennis player Michael Jeremiasz is joined by more than 150 dancers and performers carrying flaming torches. They begin a choreography to the rhythm of the Bolero by French composer Maurice Ravel, one of the most performed ballet scores in the world. Through this choreography, they achieve concord around the Paralympic Flame.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/8843398e-52d3-45bb-9ed9-beb5836a2c34
28 Aug 2024 21:16 GMT+0
The Relay continues
Florent Manaudou gives it to Michael Jeremiasz, as he arrives in front of the obelisk.
Picture by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
GettyImages-2169104383
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/6ee0bc05-2fd5-41a1-831a-0e5935eabc45
28 Aug 2024 21:15 GMT+0
THE FLAME 🔥
Florent Manaudou, French flagbearer at the Paris 2024 Olympics, runs from the Champs Elysées to bring the Flame at the Place de la Concorde.
Picture by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
GettyImages-2169104112
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/d457a170-cb94-40b1-845a-346f0a188962
28 Aug 2024 21:12 GMT+0
Siri, search "Songs that give you chills"
French artist Sébastien Tellier lights up the stage with 'La Ritournelle', accompanied in his performance by an impressive lightshow designed by Thomas Dechandon.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/7818a138-0b81-4f0a-a119-ec920eea82e5
28 Aug 2024 21:10 GMT+0
An incredible path that comes to an end
A unique feature of the Paralympic Movement is that several Paralympic Flames can shine simultaneously. On its arrival on French soil, the Flame was divided into 12 Flames, to reflect the number of days of the Paralympic Games. 1,000 Torchbearers spread the energy of the Games throughout France, highlighting regions committed to promoting inclusion in sport
and raising awareness of disability issues.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/7413815a-ef09-4bf6-b6ac-45b473c45345
28 Aug 2024 21:07 GMT+0
The Paralympic Flame arrives at Paris
The sequence starts with a video of the highlights of the Torch Relay, which began on 24 August in Stoke Mandeville. After its journey accross France, the Paralympic Flame enters the Place de la Concorde.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/8e9e882e-ba6c-4092-96da-9db9d604b1ce
28 Aug 2024 21:05 GMT+0
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Paralympic Oath"
This protocol sequence continues with the Paralympic Oath. Two Paralympic athletes, a judge and a coach take the Oath on behalf of their peers and pledge to respect and promote the Paralympic values: determination, equality, inspiration and courage.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/a1a19fa3-7a29-49fe-9ed4-f4c7e909f052
28 Aug 2024 21:02 GMT+0
Did you know?
The Paralympic Anthem is entitled “Anthem of the Future”. It was composed by Frenchman Thierry Darnis in 1996 at the request of the IPC.
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) August 28, 2024Drapeau, hymne, ça y est, les Jeux Paralympiques de #Paris2024 sont lancés ✨
-
Flag, anthem, that's it, the #Paris2024 Paralympic Games are on! ✨🎶 Interprétation de Luan Pommier
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/a386856c-ea20-4afc-a8e9-38a647d6050a
28 Aug 2024 21:00 GMT+0
Here comes the Paralympic flag!
The Paralympic flag is brought on stage by John McFall, Beijing 2008 Paralympian, silver medalist in Para Athletics and Paralympian and first astronaut with a disability to have joined the European Space Agency. It is then raised while the Paralympic Anthem is performed by Luan Pommier.
Picture by WILLEM VERNES
GettyImages-2169102014
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/ab15897d-cd2a-4a19-a36f-06a68c58ed63
28 Aug 2024 20:51 GMT+0
A beautiful show
In the “Sportography” the groups overcomes differences, showing us a vision of a new, inclusive competition where unity and equality succeed. The act is a celebration of diversity and shared creativity, illustrating how diverse groups can unite to achieve a common goal.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/62b1e1b2-c01d-4307-9647-41adf90d2724
28 Aug 2024 20:47 GMT+0
The French delegation looked gooooood at the Place de la Concorde
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) August 28, 2024Ils sont à domicile ! Voici la délégation française emenée par Nantenin Keita et Alexis Hanquinquant 🇫🇷
They're at home! Here's the French delegation led by Natenin Keita and Alexis Hanquinquant 🇫🇷
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/41fd1c6d-60a9-4119-b880-f2f7d882e2a3
28 Aug 2024 20:43 GMT+0
Sportography
In this grand choreographed show, it’s difficult to tell if you’re watching a dance performance, a sports game, or an art piece. The performance features the two main groups we've met before. In this new setting, they come together, blending dance, sport, and art into a fictional game that highlights teamwork, where people with and without disabilities invent new sports in which everyone can participate.
Picture by 2024 Getty Images
GettyImages-2169099406
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-opening-ceremony-live/d44f4662-b38f-4b97-b440-cce8647c3c52
28 Aug 2024 20:39 GMT+0
Another emotional sequence
This video highlights Lucie, Molly and Martin's experiences, how they lift the importance of visibility. They express hope for a future where collaboration will lead to a more inclusive world.