Let the party continue Athletes welcomed to Paris with energy, joy and explosion of colour

The 17th Paralympic Games began under blue skies amid an explosion of colour as Paris made a strong start in extending to disability sport the same energy and joy that has so far characterised its summer.

- PAUL MACLNNES

In the coming 11 days there will be new heroes made, stories told, and perhaps, just perhaps, the possibility of a legacy of positive change for people with disabilities.

In front of a crowd of 35,000 spectators at Place de la Concorde, a ceremony threaded together by bold, expressive dance and featuring a parade of 128 often jubilant competing nations created a party atmosphere and an image of a country still en fete.

Unlike the Olympics opening ceremony, there were no shots of sodden performers to spoil the party. Temperatures of 30 degrees and cloudless skies meant everything passed without disruption and the tribunes were full.

By the time the French delegation arrived in the arena to the sounds of Les Champs-Élysées and various other pieces of chanson that remain in the collective memory, the spirit of summer 2024 was once again in full effect.

Involving 500 performers, including dancers, pop stars, furry revolutionary hats and the ubiquitous DJ, the title of the ceremony was Paradox, the theme a journey from "Discord to Concord". As with every aspect of Paris 2024, this was an idea pinned to the geography and history of the French capital.

The ceremony began in the "wide open" fashion, in public, with Paralympic delegations passing down a section of the sundrenched Champs-Élysées and a collection of Unesco executives, rappers and Jackie Chan joining them as part of the torch relay.