Paris Paralympics: Opening Ceremony To Be Held Today

Following the Olympic Games, Paris is all set to host another prestigious sporting event. The Paralympic Games 2024 will kick off today with an opening ceremony in the French capital. The glittering ceremony is scheduled to start at 8 pm local time (11:30 pm IST). 

More than 4,400 athletes from 180 National Paralympic Committees are gathering in France for the Paralympic Games, and athletes will compete in 549 medal events spread across 22 sports. Only two Paralympic sports, goalball and boccia, do not have an Olympic equivalent. Notably, Boccia is a bowls-like sport played by athletes in wheelchairs with motor impairments. In total, 16 stadium or arena venues, which were all also used during the recently concluded Olympic Games, will host competitions during the event. 

India’s Paralympic contingent comprises of 84 members. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, India returned with 19 medals, including five gold and eight silver. It is India's biggest medal haul at the Paralympic Games. Sumit Antil and Bhagyashree Yadav have been chosen as the flag-bearers for India at the opening ceremony.