Wheelchair basketball player Patrick Anderson and swimmer Katarina Roxon lead Team Canada into the Paris Paralympics opening ceremony on Wednesday at the Place de la Concorde.
Just weeks after hosting the Olympics, Paris began the final chapter of its summer of sports Wednesday with the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. Just weeks after hosting the Olympics, Paris began the final chapter of its summer of sports Wednesday with the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
About 50,000 people watched the ceremony in stands built around the iconic square, which is the biggest in Paris and is visible from afar because of its ancient Egyptian Obelisk. Accessibility for athletes in wheelchairs was facilitated with strips of asphalt laid along the avenue and placed over the square.More than 4,000 athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments will compete in 22 sports from Thursday until Sept. 8.
A Canadian contingent of 94 athletes, coaches and staff marched from the Champs-Élysées into Place de la Concorde with flag-bearers Patrick Anderson and Katarina Roxon leading the way. Although Wednesday night's show started at 8 p.m. local time, fans had gathered hours earlier under a scorching sun to get top spots along the way. As performers entertained the crowd on stage, volunteers danced alongside Paralympians as they waved their national flags and the sky gave off a postcard-perfect orange glow.
Organizers say more than 2 million of the 2.8 million tickets have been sold for the various Paralympic events.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Paralympics Opening Ceremony Kicks Off Final Chapter On Summer Of Sports In ParisThousands of athletes paraded down the famed Champs-Elysées avenue against the backdrop of a setting sun to celebrate the start of the Paralympic Games.
Read more »
A look at 10 Canadian athletes to watch at the 2024 Paris ParalympicsPARIS — A look at 10 Canadian athletes to watch in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Read more »
Ewert, Team Canada set for opening game at Paralympics in ParisPrince George supporters will have to be early risers to watch Canadians live in wheelchair rugby opener Thursday morning against United States
Read more »
A look at 10 Canadian athletes to watch at the 2024 Paris ParalympicsPARIS — A look at 10 Canadian athletes to watch in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Read more »
A look at 10 Canadian athletes to watch at the 2024 Paris ParalympicsPARIS — A look at 10 Canadian athletes to watch in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Read more »
A look at 10 Canadian athletes to watch at the 2024 Paris ParalympicsPARIS — A look at 10 Canadian athletes to watch in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Read more »