Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony Highlights: French President Emmanuel Macron declared the 2024 Paralympics open on Wednesday during a colourful ceremony in the heart of Paris. A total of 4,400 Paralympians, representing 167 nations, marched from Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde. In a moment of pride for India, para-athletes Sumit Antil and Bhagyashri Jadhav led the Indian contingent, which is the largest ever in the nation's Paralympic history with 84 athletes in 12 different sports. The opening ceremony itself was a spectacular celebration of diversity, resilience, and the spirit of competition, featuring breathtaking performances that highlighted French culture and the Paralympic values of determination and equality.