The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games officially kicked off on Wednesday with a vibrant opening ceremony held on the iconic Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde.
For the first time, the Paralympic opening ceremony was hosted outside the main stadium, with the Parisian backdrop adding to the event’s grandeur.
The opening ceremony saw 4,400 competitors from 168 delegations parade into the venue, with French President Emmanuel Macron officially declaring the Games open. The ceremonial lighting of the Paralympic cauldron was performed by five French Paralympians, including gold medallists Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keita.
The Nigerian delegation, which includes 35 athletes, will compete in four sports: Para-Athletics, Para-Badminton, Para-Powerlifting, and Para-Table Tennis.
Senator John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, addressed the team with a call to action: “Paris 2024 is not just another sporting event; it’s an opportunity for Team Nigeria to show the world what we are capable of. Our athletes have trained hard, and they are prepared to give their best performance. We are here to compete, to win, and to bring glory to Nigeria.”
Enoh expressed confidence in the team’s potential to excel: “Our para-athletes have always been a source of inspiration and pride for Nigeria. I have no doubt that they will make us proud again in Paris. We are all behind them, and we are confident that they will exceed expectations and bring home numerous medals.”
The Games, running from August 28 to September 8, 2024, will feature a wide range of sports, including track cycling, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, and more.
Over two million of the 2.5 million available tickets has been sold and several venues are already at capacity.
