The wait is finally over! The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will kick off on August 28 with a spectacular opening ceremony, described by International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons as a “traditional ceremony in a non-traditional venue.”

For the first time in Paralympic history, the opening ceremony will take place outside a stadium. The iconic Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysees will serve as the backdrop as athletes from around the world compete in the Parade of Nations.

There will be surprise performances and dazzling dance routines featuring dozens of dancers with disabilities, all in front of an audience of 50,000.

Celebration of parasport in the City of Light

There will be around 4,400 athletes from a record 168 delegations. Three NPCs – Eritrea, Kiribati and Kosovo – will make their Paralympic debut in the French capital.

“The city of love makes the heart of every Paralympic athlete beat faster,” says Dutch wheelchair basketball player Jitske Visser.

“What an incredible moment for our athletes, who will be part of a historic opening ceremony, on the most famous avenue in the world, surrounded by all the charm of Paris.

“The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be an exceptional opportunity to celebrate Paralympic sport in the eyes of the entire world.”

Meet the flag bearers

The Opening Ceremony marks the start of 11 days of competition (549 medal events across 22 Para-sports).

The Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT) is the first team to take part in the opening ceremony. Led by flag bearer Guillaume Junior Atangana, the RPT will feature eight athletes competing in six sports: Para athletics, Para powerlifting, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, Para triathlon and wheelchair fencing.

As host nation, France will be the final delegation in the Parade of Nations. Sprinter Nantenin Keita and Para-triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant will carry the flag for the hosts, who will be aiming for their best ever performance at the Games with the support of a home crowd.

“I’ve won a medal, I’ve been an athlete and I’ve discovered every aspect of the sport,” Keita said.

“Now I will carry the flag for France. So my career is really complete. These are the first Paralympics in France, so I will always be the first (to carry the flag).”

Cameron Leslie, who has been named New Zealand’s flag bearer, will compete in his fourth Paralympics. The 34-year-old, a wheelchair rugby and Para swimming athlete, will compete in the pool in Paris.

At a press conference on the eve of the opening ceremony, he said how excited he was to be part of this historic event.

“I’m just looking forward to the experience. I know the French have put on a really cool event, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m going there with my eyes wide open,” he said.

“It will be great to be with everyone from New Zealand, have a smile on my face, laugh and hopefully I don’t fall over and drop the flag.”

Para-swimmer Gabriel Arautu also expressed his enthusiasm about carrying the Brazilian flag during the opening ceremony.

“To be honored in this way is amazing. I am very happy to have this opportunity to represent Brazil in the best possible way during the Opening Ceremony and even more importantly in the pool.

“My main goal is to enjoy every possible moment, whether it’s in the Paralympic Village, in the pool or the chance to carry the flag. It’s a unique experience and I’m not sure if I can describe it in words, but I think I’ll be extremely happy to carry the flag – and hopefully I’ll look good on TV.”

Leaving a lasting legacy

Hanquinquant, a favourite of the home crowd, hopes the Games will create a lasting legacy in France. The Paralympics have already led to positive changes in the host city before they even started.

The city of Paris has invested in improving the accessibility of six sports facilities in the capital. Schools are more accessible and above-ground transport has been drastically improved.

“Paris 2024 is an incredible catalyst for change in French society,” said Hanquinquant.

“The government changes, (and) the government moves. But Paris 2024 will be an incredible theater to show the power of sport for everyone, to show the power of sport for disabled people, so that they can go out and participate in society.”