Moroccan Athletes Najwa Awane and Hicham Lamlas to Lead Nation at Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony
The 2024 Paris Paralympics will see Moroccan wheelchair tennis star Najwa Awane and cecifoot (blind football) player Hicham Lamlas proudly carrying the national flag during tonight's opening ceremony. This event, starting at 8:00 p.m. local time, will be held at the iconic Place de la Concorde, marking a historic departure from traditional stadium-based ceremonies.
In a departure from convention, the ceremony will feature a grand procession that transitions from the Avenue des Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde, reflecting the innovative spirit of these Games. This approach follows the precedent set by the 2024 Olympics, which began with a ceremony along the River Seine.
Over the next 11 days, 4,400 athletes from 184 delegations will compete across various sports, with Morocco sending a team of 38 athletes, 24 men and 14 women. They will be showcased in venues familiar from the recent Olympics, such as the Grand Palais for fencing and taekwondo, La Defense Arena for swimming, and Stade de France for track and field.
The Paralympic flame was ignited at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, and has journeyed to France through the Channel Tunnel, visiting various French cities along the way.
The International Paralympic Committee has emphasized the significance of placing Paralympic athletes in the heart of Paris, highlighting the ongoing need for improved accessibility in the city. Artistic director Thomas Jolly underscored this point, stating, “Placing Paralympic athletes at the center of the city is a political marker, emphasizing that the city is not yet fully accessible to all individuals with disabilities.”
For viewers eager to watch the opening ceremony and subsequent events, Peacock will be the official streaming platform, complemented by broadcasts on NBC, CNBC, and USA Network.
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