The city of light shines again. The Elsen stadiums were decorated on Wednesday to host a parade of 168 delegations that will compete from today until September 8 in the 17th edition of the Paralympic Games. Judoka Marta ARs and table tennis player Faro Valera led the Spanish team Until you get to Place de la Concorde, transformed into an open-air theater where 35,000 people gathered To see the stars of Paralympic sports who represent 15% of the world’s population with disabilities.
Directed by Thomas Jolly, the ceremony began with a performance at the Place de la Concorde that highlighted equality under the title ‘paradox’ between A society that pretends to be inclusive but at the same time is still full of prejudices towards people with disabilities. Together with the Swede Alexander Ekman as the main kernelgraph, they both want to make Thinking about society on inclusion and harmony.
Its goal is that The ceremony changes the way we see things: disability is not a person’s defect. It is the architecture, practices, attitudes, lifestyles and models of society that create the” state ” of disability of these people.
From Discord to Concord
Before the parade of delegations, on the stage an actress The story of two opposing groups, A ‘strict society’, resistant to change, and a ‘creative band’ representing the disabled community. Together they pass From Discord to Concord Using creativity-140 athletes participated, 16 of whom had disabilities-as a way to bridge the distance separating them. Christine and Andy Queens Unable to popularity Non ji ni sorry rin By Edith Piaf.
Marta Arce and Faro Valera, Spanish flag bearers.Mikael Helsing / KP
And everything is in Plaza de La Concordia, one of the most emblematic squares in the city and the end point of the parade. A guide and, at the same time, a memory of what happened in the French Revolution and nevertheless symbolic The revolution of inclusivity.
Spain, Who came out in 48th place and wearing T-shirts inspired by the unique sports drawing of Pablo Picasso, enjoyed a party that despite not being on the court left a very similar feeling for those present The Place de la Concorde that returned the lights to the athletes who stole boats on the Seine at the Olympic Games. The emotion on the faces of the athletes, and not only of the Spaniards, is again at the center of the ceremony. For the third event in a row, the eight-member refugee team reviewed among 168 delegations. Eritrea, Kiribati and Kosovo appeared for the first time.
The Spanish delegation enjoyed the presentation.Mikali Helsing / KP
The Concorde Arena shook as the hosts, the franc team, parodied the song Champs Elysees As the voice.
And all that, under the watchful eye of the president of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, Who presided over the ceremony with Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee. On the part of Spain, among the audience were Pilar Allegra, Minister of education, training and sports, and Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, president of the commission on Sustainable Development.
Source of inspiration
“Tonight is the beginning of the most beautiful revolution , the Paralympic revolution . Don’t worry, there will be no guillotine tonight, Tonight the revolutionaries are you, the athletes. Tennis courage and determination and you fight for a cause that surpasses you. In your case, your weapons are your demos and rkords. Don’t forget. Thank you for revolutionizing the way we see life. You are an inspiration. The best second round in history starts tonight.”, Tony EstanguetChairman of the organizing committee of the Pars 2024 program.
Tonight is the beginning of the most beautiful revolutions , the Paralympic revolution
Tony estanjet, chairman of the organizing committee of Paris 2024
For his part, Andrew ParsonsThe president of the International Paralympic Committee welcomed ” the most transformative event on the planet, the Paralympic Games. At a time when hatred and exclusion are on the rise, let Sport be the glue that binds us together. In these games we will show that the difference is a powerful force for good. Let’s let the Paralympic Games in Paris lead to a revolution in inclusion”. She asked for freedom, equality and fraternity, ” because we are one, but we are not equal.”Long live the integration revolution,” he exclaimed.
Let the Paralympic Games in Paris lead to a revolution in inclusion
Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee
Paralympic astronaut
John McFall, A member of the ESA astronaut Reserve, former Paralympic athlete and surgeon, was the person who carried the Paralympic flag before hoisting it next to the French sailor and Paralympic Campine Damien Seguin. Among the last Paralympic torchbearers, before the French stars, were Paralympic legends such as fencing Baby sawThe cyclist Oksana Masters And the long bird Markus Rehm. The Paralympic flame lit the same cauldron in the elm trees located in the Tuileries Gardens next to the Louvre, in the heart of Paris. The city of light shines again.
