The 17th Summer Paralympic Games grandly opens in Paris, France

On August 29 local time, the opening ceremony of the 17th Summer Paralympic Games was grandly held in Paris, France.

At the opening ceremony, French President Macron declared the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games officially opened. This Paralympic Games has a total of 22 major events and 549 minor events, and 4,400 athletes from about 160 countries and regions will participate.

The Chinese sports delegation entered the venue holding the Five-starred Red Flag under the leadership of two flag bearers, Gu Haiyan, a female wheelchair fencing athlete, and Qi Yongkai, a male weightlifting athlete. The bright "Chinese red" is particularly dazzling. The total number of the Chinese delegation is 516, including 284 athletes. They will participate in 19 major events and 302 minor events.

The opening ceremony of this Paralympic Games is extremely distinctive and symbolic. The opening ceremony started from the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris. Members of various delegations walked along this avenue to Place de la Concorde amid the cheers of thousands of spectators. This is the first opening ceremony in the history of the Paralympic Games to leave the traditional stadium.

In the artistic performance session, the performers showed the theme of "from division to harmony" through wonderful dances and creative choreography, implying that humans enhance understanding through artistic creation and sports competitions. The torch relay session is also remarkable. Manaudou, the flag bearer of the French Olympic delegation at the opening ceremony, entered the venue holding the torch and passed the torch to Paralympic athletes, symbolizing the perfect handover between the Paris Olympics and the Paralympics. Subsequently, five torchbearers lit the main torch tower set up in the Tuileries Garden in Paris together, and the Paralympic flame illuminated Paris.

The competitions of the Paris Paralympic Games will be held from August 29 to September 8 local time. Paralympic athletes from various countries will strive hard on the field, challenge the limits, and show indomitable spirit and courage to surpass themselves. Let us look forward to their wonderful performances at this Paralympic Games and cheer for all athletes.