Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Parisian Party Continues as Para

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: The Paralympic Flame!

Christie and the Queens belt out a high-octane number ahead of the close of the show as the performers and athletes take a bow.

And with that we come to the end of the ceremony as the focus shifts to competition.

Thank you for joining us. Follow all the Paralympic action with us through the next few days.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: The Paralympic Flame!

Sebastien Tellier churns out a classic piece on his instrument of choice as the Paralympic flame is carried on its way in by the torchbearers.

Michael Jeremiasz carries the torch in to a loud reception.

He passes it on to the next torchbearer, who carries it until Oksana Masters relieves her of her duties, with the dangers and musicians channeling their heart and soul into a performance of a lifetime.

The flame burns bright as it is brought to the alter before making its way towards the cauldron.

Assia El Hannouni takes he torch to Christian Laschaud, who passes it to Beatrice Hasz.

Five athletes, Charles Antonin Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Eldoie Lorandi and Alexis Hanquinquant, light the cauldron up as the flame burns ever brighter.

The air balloon attachedt to the cauldron takes flight and the Paralympics are well and truly open.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Anthem, flag and oath- All things Paralympics!

The Paralympic flag makes an appearance to the backdrop of a piano rendition and some synchronous crooning.

The Paralympic anthem is played through the speakers as the flag is hoisted up the mast.

The athletes’ representatives take the Paralympic oath in all earnest whilst holding the flag.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Macron declares the Games Open!

President of France Emmanuel Macron declares the Paris Paralympics 2024 Open!

The chief’s words are followed by an art piece of a choreography featuring stupendous dancers.

A fluid performance filled with grace and elegance.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Andrew Parsons’ address!

President of the International Paralympics Committee Andrew Parsons welcomes the crowd to the most transformational event!

“Strength and Beauty in Difference”

Parsons welcomes the 163 contingents, the largest ever, to the inclusion revolution.

Parsons rallies the athletes and implores the crowd as he calls for “Liberte, Egalete, Fraternete, and Unity!”

“Open your minds as we open the games”

He invites Emmanuel Macron to declare the Paralympic Games open!

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Tony Estanguet on the mic.

President of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics committee Tony Estanguet on the mic.

Estanguet welcomes the athletes to the land of love and revolution.

The Frenchman dubs the athletes the revolutionaries of the moment and hails their resolve to face adversities, come what may.

“A revolution begins now. Welcome to the Paralympics 2024”

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Vive La France!

A video montage depicting the journey of the torch en route to the French capital is aired before the crowd stands up on its feet for the national anthem of France.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Inspirational!

The light dims as the French contingent leaves the frameshot and a video montage of various athletes speaking their hearts out about what the spirit of sport means to them moves the crowd.

We move into the next section of the evening as a performance highlighting ‘ability’ is played out beautifully to a piece of serene music.

A compilation of the history of the Paralympics is screened much to the awe of the gathering.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: French unit close out parade!

Australia and USA roll out before the French contingent closing out the parade.

The music has been changed as the hosts walk in to a rapturous welcome.

The crowd looks happy, and so do the athletes.

The French flag is waved with vigour as the city’s iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower, lights up the starry Parisian sky.

Definitely a modern classic with a scenic twist here to get the Paralympics 2024 underway.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Memories!

‘Memories’ blare through the speakers as the Ukrainian contingent walks out briskly.

The athletes are shown a lot of love and acknowledgement by the gathering.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: The parade rolls on!

The refugee paralympic contingent receives a huge round of applause with some notable spectators even rising to their feet to salute the resolve of the participants, who have braved adversities to stand tall on the international stage.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: The parade rolls on!

The party at La Concorde moves on as the national contingents make an appearance flaunting their flags with pride.

Each unit is greeted by natives from across the world at the French capital.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: India strolling with pride!

Sumit Antil and Bhagyashri Jadhav lead the Indian contingent with grace as the national representatives walk out with poise and dignity.

The unit will look to better their all-time high medal haul from Tokyo, and this contingent seems to have all the making for a historic outing.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Gliding through.

We move through the contingents in style as the athletes soak the shining moment in.

This is what they have worked for. And they seem to be enjoying every moment of it, as they rightfully should.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: C for Colour!

We move into the next alphabet and surprise surprise the Brazilians stand out, as always, with their trademark flair and joy they bring to every stage they make.

Cabo Verde announce themselves, followed by Cambodia and Cameroon.

Canada have a sizeable contingent, but Central African Republic stand out as Veronica Ndakara dances her way through the walkway!

Chile are tailed by China, who have the largest delegation of the games with a surplus of 200 participants.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Stars roll in!

Seven aircrafts paint the Parisian sky in the French colours.

The crowd prepares to welcome the athletes who have qualified for the event.

We proceed in French alphabetical order and Afghanistan are up first. Followed by Republic of South Africa and then come Algeria.

Germany roll in next, with Angola on their tail. Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba follow.

We got Austria in tow!

Flanked by performers egging the participants on with joy on their faces and a spring in their step.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Paris-worthy!

Performers delight the gathering with creative choreography while draped in flashy garments typical of the unofficially dubbed fashion capital of the world.

The music crescendos and the performers come to a standstill, followed by a raucous ovation from the fans present at La Concorde.

Cue the next cohort of performers now then, shall we?

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Welcome to Paris!

The Phryges car is back as the countdown is brought to an end with screams of ‘Welcome to Paris’ as the pyros go off in an arrangement in accordance with the flag of the French Republic.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Paradox!

‘Paradox’ is the theme the ceremony is off with as a modern telly spectacle unfolds to the backdrop of the historical Parisian monument.

Pianists a the centre of it with a soulful rendition straight from the heart of the artist.

Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Live: Here we go!

The Opening Ceremony is underway in Paris as we begin the proceedings at Place de la Concorde.

We are treated to a video to kick off the evening.

A joyride around Paris in a car adorned with the Phryges, with some French athletes who will headline the sporting extravaganza.

Cut to La Concorde, we got French President Emmanuel Macron and the head of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons wave to the delighted fans present at the historical monument for the iconic movement.