Paris 2024: Paralympics opening ceremony to be ‘politico-belligerent’

It will take place in a month almost on the same day as the Olympic Games. On August 28, 2024, the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games will also “leave the stadium” and offer athletes and spectators an unprecedented spectacle.

This time, the parade of boats and athletes on the Seine will be out of the question. Two more monuments from the history of the city of Paris were chosen as a background: the Champs Elysees, from where the athletes will arrive, and Place de la Concorde. But organizers assure him they have “the same level of ambition” as their July colleague.

“We are working to make this one of the greatest moments in the history of the Games,” insists Thierry Reboul this Monday on the occasion of the “D-1 year” of the Paralympic Games. The CEO of Paris 2024 Brand, Events and Ceremonies is pleased with this “incredible project” and reiterates that they will be “the first to bring this ceremony outside the stadium”.

Unable to reveal the content, Thomas Jolly, Artistic Director of Paris 2024, confirms that this Paralympic Games ceremony will be as ambitious as the first. “We work with the same method, with the same team of writers and writers, with the same team of artists,” he explains. The athletes will be at the center of the show when they arrive at the Place de la Concorde along the Champs Elysées, their royal route.”

“In a square called Place de la Revolution”

The choice of location also makes sense for the director. “We are going to develop in a square that has entered the history of France, which was once called the Place de la Révolution, where the guillotine was located… What better way to communicate than to come back here? This ceremony will be political, militant. She will perk up in the middle of the City, and people will not be able to see her, ”he portrays.

Because the organizers want to convey to the public “all the features” that para-athletes show and their practice of sports for people with disabilities at a high level. “This is an intangible heritage that I hold dear,” adds Thomas Jolly. Society should know and take them into account.”

A total of 35,000 people will be able to attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games through the ticket office at a price of 150 to 700 euros (compared to 90-2700 euros for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games). 30,000 people can participate for free. “We want to involve all French people in this adventure and change the way we look at disability,” insisted on Monday Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, who has been dreaming of a big crowd at Para since the beginning. day. Tickets will go on sale October 9th.