Paralympic Games 2024: Opening ceremony takes place
Images | instagram/kazparalympics
The opening ceremony of the XVII Paralympic Summer Games was held in the French capital, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports. More than 4,000 athletes will compete in 22 sports over the next 11 days.
Just like the Olympic ceremony, the Paralympic ceremony took place not in a stadium but in the streets.
The event began on Place de la Concorde with a performance by renowned pianist Chilly Gonzalez, accompanied by 140 dancers and performers. When the countdown ended, the sky was lit up with a colourful fireworks display in blue, white and red - the symbols of France.
Particular attention was drawn to the appearance of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games participant, French swimmer Théo Curin, who arrived at the venue by taxi, and French artist Christine and the Queens, who performed a new version of Édith Piaf's iconig song "Non, je ne regrette rien".
The ceremony continued with a ceremonial parade of 168 delegations, which paraded from the bottom of the Champs-Élysées. The delegation from Afghanistan was the first to march.
The Kazakhstani flag was carried by the winner of the Asian Paralympic Games, ten-time winner of the Kazakhstan Championship Berik Izmaganbetov (sitting volleyball). Another flag bearer was the winner of the Kazakhstan Championship Sevda Aliyeva (shooting para sport).
After the ceremonial parade of the delegations the French flag was raised to the sound of the French National Anthem, "The Marseillaise", reinterpreted by Victor le Masne, composer and musical director of the Paris 2024 ceremonies, and performed by Ensemble Matheus.
President of the Organising Committee for Paris 2024 Tony Estanguet and President of the International Paralympic Committee Andrew Parsons delivered their welcoming speech.
Then, from the official stand, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, declared the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games open.
At the opening of the Paris Paralympic Games, the theatre production "Sportography" by director Thomas Jolly attracted particular attention.
This segment of the show combined elements of dance, sports and art, offering viewers a unique performance where two groups of participants, representing people with and without disabilities, work together to create a new, inclusive competition. They overcome differences, emphasizing the importance of unity and equality.
The ceremonial raising of the Paralympic flag was accompanied by the performance of the Paralympic Anthem, which is called "The Anthem of the Future". The flag was carried onto the stage by John McFall, a silver medallist in para athletics at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and the first astronaut with a disability to join the European Space Agency.
The scene of the arrival of the Paralympic flame in Paris began with a video showing key moments from the torch relay, which began on 24 August in Stoke Mandeville. After its journey across France, the Paralympic flame made its ceremonial entrance into the Place de la Concorde, marking the start of the Games.
A unique feature of the Paralympic Movement is that several Paralympic Flames can shine simultaneously. The Flame was divided into 12 Flames, to reflect the number of days of the Paralympic Games.
Markus Rehm, a German Para athlete, Former Wheelchair tennis player Michael Jeremiasz, Florent Manaudou, French flagbearer at the Paris 2024 Olympics, American paralympic athlete Oksana Masters and many others took part in carrying Olympic Torch.
Para athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault and Elodie Lorandi with Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keïta took the torch at the end of the opening ceremony to light the cauldron.
Christine and the Queens concluded the ceremony with a performance of legendary Patrick Hernandez song, "Born to be Alive".
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin storms into Hangzhou Open quarterfinals
Images | ktf.kz
Two Kazakhstani tennis players clashed at the ongoing Hangzhou Open Round of 16, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Tennis Federation.
Mikhail Kukushkin World No. 112 advanced to the quarterfinals at the Hangzhou Open 2024 beating Kazakhstan's No. 2 tennis player Alexander Shevchenko ranking 58th in the world 6:4, 7:6 (7:5).
Next, he will play against the winner of the match between Karen Khachanov and Bu Yunchaokete.
The tournament is held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Center in Hangzhou, China, between September 18 and 24.
This year its total prize money stands at 1,000,630 US dollars.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakhstan’s judoka Yergali Shamey claims silver at Paris Paralympics
Images | NOC
Kazakhstan’s Yergali Shamey won a silver medal in the Men -73 kg J1 para judo event, Kazinform News Agency cites the National Olympic Committee.
Yergali Shamey of Kazakhstan was defeated by Florin-Alexandru Bologa of Romania in the Para Judo Men -73 kg J1 Final bout, thus settling for silver.
World and Asian Games champion Yergali Shamey, 39yo, made his Paralympic debut in Paris.
Earlier it was reported that Kazakhstan’s para judoka Dayana Fedossova claimed a bronze medal at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris.
On September 5, para judoka Akmaral Nauatbek brought the second gold medal for Kazakhstan, whereas para swimmer Nurdaulet Zhumagali of Kazakhstan settled for Paralympic silver.
Team Kazakhstan has so far won seven medals, including two gold, three silver and two bronze ones, at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris, France.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Akmaral Nauatbek wins 2nd Paralympic gold medal for Kazakhstan
Images | NOC
Kazakhstani Akmaral Nauatbek claimed a gold medal in the women -48 kg J2 para judo event at the Paralympic Games 2024 in Paris, France, Kazinform News Agency cites Olympic.kz.
Kazakhstan’s para judoka Akmaral Nauatbek defeated Sandrine Martinet of France by ippon in the women -48 kg J2 final bout at the Paris Paralympics.
Akmaral Nauatbek made history to become the first Olympic para judo champion of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan, currently, sits at the 33rd place in the overall medal standings at the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, with two gold, one silver and one bronze medals.
Earlier it was reported that Kazakhstani powerlifter David Degtyarev secured a gold medal in the men’s 54 kg para powerlifting finals at the now-running Summer Paralympic Games 2024 in Paris, France.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakhstan’s para athlete sets Asian record to qualify for men’s 100m breaststroke final at Paralympics
Images | Kazakh tourism and sport ministry
Nurdaulet Zhumagali of Kazakhstan qualified for the men's 100m breaststroke SB13 para swimming event at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris, Kazinform News Agency has learnt from the Kazakh tourism and sport ministry.
Para swimmer Nurdaulet Zhumagali of Kazakhstan came in first in the men's 100m breaststroke SB13 Heat 1 event with a result of 1:05.11, thus setting a new Asian record, at the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris.
Previously, it was reported that Kazakhstani para swimmer Amir Muratbekov and para judoka Akmaral Nauatbek advanced to the Paris Paralympics final.
Team Kazakhstan, currently, ranks 46th in the overall medal standings at the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, one gold, one silver and one bronze medals.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakh powerlifter wins gold at Summer Paralympic Games 2024
Images | NOC
Kazakhstani powerlifter David Degtyarev secured a gold medal in the men’s 54 kg para powerlifting finals at the now-running Summer Paralympic Games 2024 in Paris, France, Kazinform News Agency reports.
David Degtyarev aged 28 is the country’s first -ever athlete to bring home two Paralympic Games gold medals.
Native of Akmola region he has been competing in international competitions since 2017. He is also a champion of the Asian Games and a two-time world champion.
Earlier Tursynai Kabyl completed her performance at the Paralympic Games.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Kazakh Khoroshavin wins bronze at Track Asia Cup 2024 in Thailand
Kazakh Maxim Khoroshavin won a bronze medal at the Track Asia Cup 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Tourism and Sports Ministry.
The event kicked off on August 28 to bring together 167 athletes from 10 countries.
Eight sportsmen including Alsher Zhumakhan, Iliya Karabutov, Andrei Chugai, Kirill Kurdidi, Ramazan Mukhtar, Rizvan Beissenbayev, Viktor Golov and Maxim Khoroshavin represent Kazakhstan at the tournament.
The Track Asia Cup 2024 will run until August 30.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.