Paralympics 2024 Officially Open; Sumit Antil, Bhagyashree Jadhav Lead Indian Contingent

2024 Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony Highlights© PCI

Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Highlights: French President Emmanuel Macron declared the 2024 Paralympics open on Thursday (IST) during a colourful ceremony in the heart of Paris. A total of 4,400 Paralympians, representing 167 nations, marched from Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde. In a moment of pride for India, para-athletes Sumit Antil and Bhagyashri Jadhav led the Indian contingent, which is the largest ever in the nation’s Paralympic history with 84 athletes in 12 different sports. The opening ceremony itself was a spectacular celebration of diversity, resilience, and the spirit of competition, featuring breathtaking performances that highlighted French culture and the Paralympic values of determination and equality.

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August29202402:25 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: The games are now open!

French President Emmanuel Macron declares the 2024 Paralympics open following a colourful ceremony in the heart of Paris.

August29202401:43 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Who won India’s first medal at Paralympics?

India claimed its first Paralympic medal, a gold, in 1972 in Heidelberg where swimmer Murlikant Petkar triumphed in the men’s class 3 50m freestyle event. Petkar’s story was well documented in a Bollywood movie titled ‘Chandu Champion’ which released earlier this year, starring Kartik Aaryan.

August29202401:27 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: The hosts are here!

With 249 athletes, the hosts France conclude the athletes parade with the song ‘Champs Elysees’ resonating in the background.

August29202401:26 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: USA time!

The hosts in four years time at Los Angeles, the USA are here with a 220-member contingent. 

August29202401:15 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Historic!

With eight athletes amongst their ranks, the largest Refugee Paralympic delegation in history has arrived!

Bannering the Paralympic flag are the Refugee Paralympic Team, which consists of eight athletes and a guide runner, all refugees and asylees who represent more than 120 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.#Paris2024 #GamesWideOpen pic.twitter.com/SULP3jvlNl

— Archive (@ArchiveInt) August 28, 2024August29202401:04 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Pakistan’s only athlete!

Just one representative from Pakistan. Haider Ali carries the flag out. He won a gold medal in the discus throw at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics with a throw of 55.26 meters.

August29202400:59 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: What a gesture by Greece!

Early on, the Greek delegation marched onto the stage at La Concorde along with the French flag.

Both France and Greece had a traditionally strong and special relationship due to strong cultural and historical ties.#Paris2024 #GamesWideOpen pic.twitter.com/jOsipzf10f

— Archive (@ArchiveInt) August 28, 2024August29202400:45 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: All smiles in the Japanese camp!

A massive 181-member contingent from Japan. All smiles as they march their way out, led by flag-bearers Daiki Ishiyama and An Nishida.

August29202400:39 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: India are here!

The Indian contingent, led by Sumit Antil and Bhagyashri Jadhav, is here. India have sent their largest-ever Paralympic contingent of 84 para-athletes and hopes to achieve a record medal tally as well.

August29202400:15 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: The largest contingent is here!

Gu Haiyan and Qi Yongkai lead the Chinese contingent, the largest at this year’s Games. 218 members. China topped the medals tally in Tokyo

August29202400:08 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Party atmosphere with Brazil!

The athletes are parading from the bottom of the Champs-Elysees to the beats of French DJ Myd’s beats. Time for some Brazilian flair, led by the flag-bearers Gabriel Geraldo dos Santos Araujo and Elizabeth Rodrigues Gomes. 

August29202400:03 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Bangladesh’s 2-member contingent!

Joma Akter and Al Amin Hossain are the flagbearers for Bangladesh. Bangladesh didn’t send a single athlete in Tokyo three years back. Both Joma and Al Amin will compete in Para Archery

August28202423:58 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Crowd welcomes Algeria, Germany!

Edina Muller (Para canoe) and Martin Schulz (Para triathlon) lead the German contingent. Before them, an 18-member Algerian contingent was also welcomed by the crowd.

August28202423:55 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: The Athletes are here!

With the end of the artistic show, musical performance and the pyrotechnic show, it is now time for the athlletes to take the center stage. First up is Afghanistan with their sole representative Ebrahim Danish. He will be competing in Para Taekwondo K44

August28202423:50 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Christine and the Queens are here!

The artistic show is followed by a musical performance from French artist Christine and the Queens. They are now performing on a new version of legendary French singer Edith Piaf’s iconig song “Non, je ne regrette rien”

August28202423:45 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Artistic show begins!

Amid huge cheers of the spectators, 140 dancers, performers and a pianist begin the artistic show. French swimmer Theo Curin joins them for the start. French president Emmanuel Macron and Paralympics president Andrew Parsons in attendance.

August28202423:41 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: We are underway!

The golden hour in the ‘city of love’, the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is now underway at La Concorde. 

August28202423:37 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Jackie Chan carries flame!

— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) August 28, 2024August28202423:31 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: All set for the start!

We are minutes away from the start of Opening Ceremony. Most of the tickets for the event have been bought by the locals. It has been an hot day in the French capital. La Concorde awaits the arrival of the athletes.

August28202423:20 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Know about India’s flag-bearers!

Tokyo Paralympics gold medal winner Sumit Antil and Asian Para Games silver medalist Bhagyashree Jadhav will be Indian flag-bearers at the opening ceremony. Sumit won the Tokyo Paralympics gold medal with a world record throw of 68.55 metres in the men’s javelin F64 category. On the other hand, shotputter Bhagyashree, who competes in the F34 category, won a silver medal at the Asian Para Games

August28202423:17 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: More medal hopes for India!

India have sent their largest-ever Paralympic contingent of 84 para-athletes and hopes to achieve a record medal tally as well. India won 19 medals, which included five gold, at the Tokyo Paralympics three years to attain their best finish on the medals tally, ranking 24th among 78 nations which won at least one medal at the Games. What will be the medal count this time around?

August28202422:59 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: A unique moment!

According to Paris 2024’s official website, “Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysees, the world’s most beautiful avenue, will be transformed into an outstanding stage to showcase the Paralympic movement in a breathtaking setting.”

August28202422:47 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Historic ceremony on cards!

History will be created in Paris as for the first time ever the opening ceremony of a Paralympics will be held outside of the stadium. Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysees will be the stage for the event, which will be led by Thomas Jolly, Artistic Director for the Ceremonies.

August28202422:41 (IST)

Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Hello!

Hello and welcome to our live blog of Paris Paralympics 2024. The curtain-raiser is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM local time (11:30 PM IST) on August 28, with a total of 4,400 Paralympic athletes from 167 nations will march around Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysees.

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