2024 Paris Paralympics: Opening ceremony, streaming, venue- All you need to know

The 2024 Paris Paralympics is scheduled to take place from August 28 through September, promising to showcase an impressive array of athletic talent and inspire viewers worldwide.

The Paris 2024 Paralympics are set to be the largest yet, featuring a remarkable 549 medal events across 22 sports, representing an increase of 10 events from the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.

Para athletics and Para swimming will lead with 164 and 141 events respectively, due to the various classifications that ensure a level playing field for athletes with different impairments.

4,400 athletes from 180 nations are expected to compete, including a 10-member squad (8 athletes and 2 guides) from the Refugee Paralympic Team.

In a break from tradition, the opening ceremony will shift from the usual stadium setting to a dynamic parade that will journey from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.

The Opening Ceremony

In a departure from the river-bound ceremony of the Olympic Games, the Paralympic opening will animate the heart of Paris, unfolding on August 28th as a grand event stretching from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, transforming the city into an expansive stage.

A 'people's parade' will see 4,400 para-athletes from 180 delegations march down the Champs-Élysées, culminating in an artistic showcase at Place de la Concorde.

Choreographed by Alexander Ekman, the ceremony will emphasize inclusivity, featuring performers with disabilities and a musical journey curated by Victor Le Masne.

With special provisions for disabled spectators and tight security measures in place, Paris is set to welcome the world to a unique celebration of the Paralympic spirit.

The Torch

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Torch, designed by Mathieu Lehanneur, embodies the essence of the Games with its unique design and sparkling champagne color.

Its symmetry represents a commitment to equality, marking the first occasion that Olympic and Paralympic torches share the same design.

The torch’s gentle curves, inspired by the flow of water, symbolize peace and solidarity—core values of the Paralympic movement.

The Paralympic Mascot: Phyrge

The Paralympic Phyrge, the vibrant mascot for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, symbolizes inclusivity and the enduring values of France.

from the historic Phrygian cap, an emblem of liberty and freedom, the Phyrge brings this powerful message into the sports arena.

Its design features a prominent running blade, highlighting its dedication to representing athletes with disabilities and championing the principles of the Paralympic movement.

This energetic and fearless mascot is prepared to lead a movement through sports, encouraging everyone to embrace physical activity and recognize its transformative impact on individuals and society.

Alongside the Olympic Phryge, it embodies the joy and excitement of the Paris 2024 Games, rallying support for the Para athletes and celebrating the power of sport to unite us all.

The Venues

The Paris 2024 Paralympics will utilize 18 diverse venues across France, with most events centered in and around Paris, while some will be hosted in the suburbs of Saint-Denis, Versailles, and Vaires-sur-Marne, just outside the city.

In a commendable effort towards sustainability, the organizers have prioritized using existing facilities over constructing new ones.

Iconic venues such as the Stade de France will host para-athletics and the closing ceremony, while the renowned Stade Roland Garros will showcase wheelchair tennis. Para-swimming will take place at the Paris La Défense Arena.

Certain events will be held at notable Parisian landmarks, including beach blind football under the Eiffel Tower and wheelchair fencing and para-taekwondo at the Grand Palais.

The Vaires-Torcy leisure complex will be the site for para-rowing and para-canoe-kayak events.

Additionally, the Champ de Mars Arena will feature para-judo and wheelchair rugby, and para-shooting will occur at the Châteauroux Shooting Centre, the same venue used for the Olympics.

The Medals

The Paralympic medals for Paris 2024, created in collaboration with Chaumet, combine French history and artistry.

Each medal showcases a tactile representation of the Eiffel Tower and includes a fragment of its original iron, establishing a tangible connection to this iconic landmark.

The medals feature distinctive engravings and universal braille in honor of Louis Braille, showcasing the commitment to inclusivity.

Where to watch the Paralympics 2024?

Jio Cinema and Sports18 TV network will stream and broadcast the Paris Paralympics 2024 for free in India.