Incredible moments of the Paris Paralympics
The 2024 Summer Paralympic Games are drawing to a close, the athletes leave behind a string of broken records as they compete for the 549 gold medals up for grabs. In the first four days of the event alone, close to 40 were broken in multiple sports.
Following a parade along the Avenue des Champs-Elysees from the iconic Arc de Triomphe, the ceremony was staged at Place de la Concorde, with spectacular performances from French singers Christine and the Queens and Luc Bruyère, known as Lucky Love.
Dancers showcased the beauty of the Paralympic sports old and new, with a nod to breaking – included in the Paris Olympic Games but excluded from the Paralympics. And the performances highlighted the paradox of a world claiming to be inclusive but remaining prejudicial against people with disabilities.
The Olympic cauldron was once again lit, and will float above the Tuileries Garden until the end of the games.
The athletes' colourful, funny and whimsical equipment took centre stage in the first few days of competition.
Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais and Arc de Triomphe provide a stunning backdrop to the competition. This is the French capital's first time hosting the Summer Paralympics.
Around 4,400 athletes are competing in 22 sports displaying prowess, efficiency...
...and joy.
History was made as Afghan taekwondo athlete Zakia Khudadadi became the first to win a Paralympic medal for the Refugee Team. In her childhood, she practiced the sport in secret and was blocked from competing after the rise of Taliban in 2021.
And again when Brazilian swimmer Gabrielzinho (on the right) made good on his promise of getting three consecutive gold medals in the Games, earning the nickname "Rocketman" from his fellow competitors.
On 8 September, the Paralympic Games come to an end as Paris hands over hosting duties to Los Angeles. The next Summer Paralympics start on 15 August 2028.
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