The New Zealand team on the Champs-Elysées during the opening ceremony. Photo: AFP
A crowd at the Place de la Concorde has cheered wildly as French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Paralympic Games open on Thursday.
Athletes have lined the Champs-Elysées, parading down to the Place de la Concorde where music, dances, light shows and an airshow have dazzled spectators.
RNZ's correspondent in Paris, Ross Cullen, said unlike the Olympic opening ceremony, the weather has played ball with a sunset across Paris during the festivities.
He said rubber mats were laid to help wheelchair users navigate the cobbled streets.
Paris is promising a Games to remember as the opening ceremony for the 17th summer Paralymics got underway.
Around 4400 athletes from more than 160 countries are taking part in the events, including 25 Kiwis.
Swimmer Cameron Leslie and athlete Anna Grimaldi were New Zealand's flagbearers for the Parade of Nations.
Organisers say more than two million tickets have already been sold for events across the 11 days of competition.
They are confident the Games will sell out, which would be a first for the event.
International Paralympic Committee president, Andrew Parsons, when asked about the choice of having the opening ceremony outside the stadium said: "To us, it is like Paris is giving a gigantic hug to the Paralympic athletes.
"When you hug someone, you're getting closer to the person and this is accepting the person like he or she is. This is our interpretation of this ceremony. We are being welcomed to Paris, at the very heart of the city."
In his speech, he appealed to people to "open our minds wide".
"For what you witness from Paralympic athletes are abilities and skills that surprise you. Levels of resilience and determination that energise you. And camaraderie that will inspire you.
"Paralympic athletes are not here to participate, no, sir. They are not playing games. They are here to compete, win and smash world records."
Parsons said Paralympians also wanted equality and inclusion for themselves and the world's 1.3 billion people with disabilities.
Vous ne verrez rien de plus beau aujourd'hui #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/GhOvtM8oT6
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) August 28, 2024
Here's a selection of photos from the ceremony.
The Phryge car appears at the Place de la Concorde - the Phryges are the mascots for the Games. Photo: AFP / Franck Fife
France's President Emmanuel arrives to watch the opening ceremony. Photo: AFP / Dimitar Dilkoff
The French Air Force Elite acrobatic flying team "Patrouille de France" does a display. Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
A dancer performs at the Place de la Concorde. Photo: AFP / Julien de Rosa
A piano is a platform for this dancer. Photo: AFP / Dimitar Dilkoff
The scene at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The athletes parade will eventually finish in the square. Photo: AFP / Bertrand Guay
Artists perform at the Place de la Concorde. Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP / Bertrand Guay
Dancers perform at the Place de la Concorde during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in Paris on August 28, 2024. Photo: AFP / Dimitar Dilkoff
Photo: AFP
French singer Lucky Love performs. Photo: AFP
Some of Mexico's team for the Paralympics. Photo: AFP
One of the Kenyan team during the Parade of Nations. Photo: AFP
Canada's delegation parades at the Place de la Concorde during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremony in Paris on August 28, 2024. Photo: AFP / Franck Fife
The Papua New Guinea team in the march past. Photo: AFP
Some of the Japanese team. Photo: AFP
A participant from Indonesia. Photo: AFP
Denmark's team takes part in the opening ceremony. Photo: AFP / Dimitar Dilkoff
Bermuda's team arrives. Photo: AFP
Austria's delegation is also among the early arrivals. Photo: AFP
-ABC /RNZ
