Flagbearers Bhagyashri Mahavrao Jadhav of India and Sumit of India lead their contingent during the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Paralympics, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool Photo via AP)
The 84-strong Indian unit was led by flagbearers Sumit Antil and Bhagyashri Jadhav. The unit representing the tricolour in Paris will look to surpass their medal tally from the previous edition of the games.
The French Capital city of Paris welcomed the 17th edition of the Paralympic Games with a grand opening ceremony on Wednesday as the athletes featuring at the sporting spectacle displayed a happy and united front at the Palace La Concorde.
The 84-strong Indian unit was led by flagbearers Sumit Antil and Bhagyashri Jadhav, as the unit representing the tricolour in Paris goes in search of glory.
The curtain-raiser began with the theme ‘Paradox’ as the performers demonstrated their choreography draped in bespoke French fashion before the athletes walked out to delight the crowd gathered at the iconic monument.
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French President Emmanuel Macron was in attendance alongside partner Bridgette, and so was International Paralympic Committee head Andrew Parsons was in the VIP section.
The athletes made their way around the venue as the fans acknowledged their sacrifices and resilience in the face of adversity.
President of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics committee Tony Estanguet welcomed the participants and the fans to the ‘land of love’ and ‘land of revolution’, before welcoming Parsons to share a few words.
Parsons called for an ‘inclusion revolution’ as he implored the world in a passionate voice for a more united front.
Parsons passed the microphone to Prez Macron, who called declared the games open from his stead in the VIP area.
The Indian contingent, which picked up a best performance of 19 medals at Tokyo 2024, aims to surpass their own tally in France and look in good shape to fulfil their Parisian dream.
Five athletes, Charles Antonin Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Elodie Lorandi and Alexis Hanquinquant, light the cauldron up as the flame burns ever brighter.
The air balloon attached to the cauldron took flight and the Paralympics was declared well and truly open.