A summer sporting bonanza which started under pouring rain on July 26 with a remarkable opening ceremony on the Seine River concluded last night with the Paralympics closing at a rain-soaked Stade de France. It lowers the curtain on successful back-to-back events that captivated fans and raised the bar high for others to follow. Good luck Los Angeles in 2028.
As the stadium was lit up in the blue, white and red colours of the French national flag, a trumpet player played the national anthem ‘La Marseillaise’ and Paralympic flag bearers then made their way into the stadium carrying national flags to the sound of ‘Chariots of Fire’ by Vangelis. Later in the evening, famed French electronic music composer Jean-Michel Jarre was to close out the ceremony, which was again led by artistic director Thomas Jolly. His intention this time was to turn the stadium into a giant open-air dance party.
More than 20 DJs, including Étienne de Crécy, Martin Solveig and Kavinsky, were to perform in a tribute to French electro music to the theme ‘Journey of the Wave’. Or the wave goodbye from the 64,000 fans, and the city itself, to the more than 4,000 Paralympic athletes. After the successful Olympics showcased the vibrancy of fans from around the world and the beauty of the city’s iconic venues, there were doubts that the energy would keep going into the Paralympics.
Those doubts were dispelled, with athletes enjoying strong support. Not all venues were sold out, but this was a.