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Paris, the City of Lights, is set to host the opening ceremony of the Summer Paralympics on Wednesday, August 24th, 2024. The iconic Champs-Élysées avenue and the historic Place de la Concorde will serve as the grand stage for this momentous event.The Champs-Élysées, a two-kilometer-long tree-lined artery, is a symbol of French culture and celebration. It connects the Arc de Triomphe in the west with Place de la Concorde in the east, forming a single straight line. The avenue is adorned with cafes, palaces, and luxury shops, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.On Wednesday, the Champs-Élysées will transform into a vibrant parade ground, welcoming over 180 delegations and 4,400 para-athletes from around the world. The parade will be open to the public, allowing everyone to witness the spirit of unity and determination that defines the Paralympic Games.At the other end of the Champs-Élysées lies Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris. This elegant paved square is defined by its towering obelisk, a gift from Egypt in 1830. The square has a somber past, having been the site of executions during the French Revolution. Today, it stands as a symbol of reconciliation and unity.The official parade for ticket holders will take place in Place de la Concorde, featuring protocol and artistic sequences. The ceremony will celebrate the resilience and achievements of para-athletes, showcasing their extraordinary abilities and inspiring the world.The opening ceremony of the Summer Paralympics in Paris promises to be a spectacle of grandeur and emotion. The Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde will provide a fitting backdrop for this celebration of human spirit and athleticism.

Tokyo Paralympics silver medalist Bhavina Patel is determined to upgrade her medal to gold at the upcoming Paris Paralympics, which commence on August 28. Patel, who became the first Indian paddler to win a medal in the Class 4 event at Tokyo, expressed her confidence in challenging the dominance of Chinese opponents."Chinese players are humans, and so are we," Patel asserted. "China does not matter to me. I have beaten a Chinese player before, so there's no pressure on me to face them. I have changed my tactics accordingly and will deploy my best plans against them."Patel, a Commonwealth Games champion and Asian Games medalist, emphasized her focus on giving her best. "There is no nervousness. I just have to give my best. When we think about giving our best, nothing else comes to mind," she said.Her doubles partner, Sonalben Patel, echoed her sentiments, stating, "Bhavina and I have put in a double amount of effort in our training as partners. We will try our utmost to return home with a medal."Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist in men's singles badminton SH6 event, Krishna Nagar, expressed his aim to replicate his performance. "I hope everything will be fine in Paris, and I will try to win gold for India again. I will give it my all to defend my gold from Tokyo. Preparations went well, I feel positive, and will look to play safe," he said.Debutant shot putter Sachin Khilari set high expectations for himself. "There is a lot of excitement in me. I have been preparing for the Paralympics for 1.5 years. I performed well at the World Championship, and I expect a gold medal out of myself because I have worked hard to earn it," he said.Discus throw athlete Sakshi Kasana, also making her debut, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity. "I have worked tirelessly hard for this moment to come true. Representing your nation at the Paralympics is the biggest thing for any athlete, so I hope my four years of hard work pays off."PCI President and legendary para javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia predicted a strong performance from India. "I have 20 years of experience in para sports. I have taken 3 medals. I know each player and their performances individually. We have received support from PM Modi, and 50 players from the TOPS scheme are going," he said."Many players got help under CSR activity. We will be winning more than 25 medals. India will be in the top 20 in the medal tally." Jhajharia also expressed confidence in Sumit Antil defending his gold medal. "Sumit will definitely defend his gold medal. He is fit, not under any kind of injury, and has a high level of confidence in himself. The national anthem will definitely be played, and Sumit will win gold," Jhajharia said.India has sent an 84-member team, the largest ever for Paralympics, to Paris, where the Games will be held from August 28 to September 8.

The Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, will comprise 84 athletes and 95 officials, totaling 179 members. This marks a significant increase from the 54-member contingent that represented India at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.The large number of officials accompanying the athletes is attributed to the special needs of para athletes. Many participants will have personal coaches and escorts to assist them with their specific requirements. The contingent includes 77 team officials, nine contingent medical officials, and nine contingent officials.India is sending its largest-ever contingent to the Paralympics, with athletes competing in 12 sports. The para-athletics team is the largest, with 38 competitors, followed by the para-badminton team with 14 members. Other sports represented include para-swimming, para-shooting, para-powerlifting, para-table tennis, para-archery, para-canoeing, para-cycling, para-equestrian, para-rowing, and para-taekwondo.Notable athletes in the contingent include javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shooter Avani Lekhara, both of whom won gold medals at the Tokyo Paralympics. They will be accompanied by personal coaches to support their efforts to defend their titles.The participation of the entire contingent, except for the Chef de Mission and one team manager for para badminton, will be funded by the government. All members will receive a daily out-of-pocket allowance of USD 50 during the Games, including acclimatization and training periods.Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia, who is leading the contingent, will stay outside the Games Village to provide support to athletes competing outside Paris. He has expressed optimism that India will surpass its medal tally of 19 from the Tokyo Paralympics, aiming for over 25 medals, including double-digit gold.

Shaik Arshad, a Paralympic cyclist, is on a mission to bring home a gold medal from the upcoming Paralympics in Paris. His journey to the top has been filled with challenges and triumphs, but his determination remains unwavering.Arshad's athletic career began with taekwondo, where he earned a green belt. However, his passion for sports extended beyond martial arts. He explored archery and wheelchair fencing, winning numerous medals at the state level. Despite his successes, he failed to make it to the national level, leaving him feeling disheartened.Undeterred, Arshad attended a camp in Bengaluru, where he was selected for cycling training. This marked the beginning of his journey in para-cycling. With the support of his coach, who recognized his potential, Arshad dedicated himself to the sport.In 2018, he received a silicone leg, which significantly improved his training. In 2019, he participated in a camp in Gujarat, where he scaled Mount Bhagirathi, demonstrating his endurance and commitment.Arshad's first international competition was in Tajikistan, where he narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. However, he remained undeterred, with his coach's guidance continually pushing him forward. His dedication led him to undertake a monumental feat, cycling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, showcasing his endurance and commitment.With the Paralympics approaching, Arshad's focus is sharper than ever. "When I'm riding, my mind is completely on my training," he says. "I almost left this career once, but my coach brought me back on track. Now, there's nothing but the goal in my mind."Arshad's journey is not just about winning medals, it's about inspiring others and proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. As he sets his sights on Paris, he carries with him the hopes and dreams of a nation, and with every pedal stroke, he moves closer to turning those dreams into reality.

Indian shooting contingent is poised to surpass its Tokyo Paralympics medal tally at the upcoming Paris Games, according to pistol marksman Manish Narwal. The team's intense training regimen has prepared them for success, he said.A 10-member shooting contingent, including rifle exponent Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal, and Narwal, will compete at the Chateauroux Centre near Paris from August 30. India had won two gold, a silver, and two bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics."Our preparations have been intense, and we are eager to give our best shot in Paris. We aim to surpass our previous performance and bring more medals home," said Narwal, who won the 50m pistol (SH1) gold in Tokyo and will be competing in 10m air pistol at the Paris Games.Besides Narwal, Avani, and Mona, the other members of the shooting contingent are Amir Ahmad Bhat, Rudransh Khandelwal, Rubina Francis, Swaroop Unahalkar, Sidhartha Babu, Shriharsha Devaraddi, and Nihal Singh.The spotlight will be on reigning Paralympic champion Avani, who made history by becoming the first woman shooter from India to win two medals in Tokyo. The Jaipur shooter, then 19, had clinched gold in 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3-positions (SH1). She will look to replicate her gold medal-winning performances in Paris.The Paralympic Committee is expecting a record-breaking 25-plus medals in Paris, and the performance of the shooting team will have a great impact on the overall tally.

Avani Lekhara's journey to becoming a Paralympic shooting champion is a testament to her resilience and determination. After a car accident left her paralyzed at the age of 11, Avani found solace in shooting, a sport that gave her a sense of purpose and accomplishment.With the support of her parents, Avani began practicing shooting in 2015. Within six years, she had become a national champion and was representing India at the Tokyo Paralympics. In Tokyo, Avani made history by winning India's first medals in shooting at the Paralympics, a gold in the 10m air rifle and a bronze in the 50m rifle 3-positions.Avani's success has brought with it expectations, but she remains focused on her process and technique. She believes that by controlling the controllable and focusing on her training, she can achieve her goals.Avani's preparations for the Paris Paralympics have been aided by a quick recovery from gallbladder surgery. She is also benefiting from a healthy rivalry with upcoming shooter Mona Agarwal, who won gold at the World Cup in Delhi.Avani credits her personal coach, Chandra Shekhar, for her success. She says that he has been an integral part of her journey, helping her to focus on her basics and improve her technique.With her determination, resilience, and the support of her coach and family, Avani is poised to make history once again at the Paris Paralympics.

The Paralympic Games, a testament to the indomitable spirit of athletes with disabilities, will commence in Paris on August 28th, following the resounding success of the Olympic Games. The French capital will once again serve as a stage for extraordinary athleticism, with 18 of the 35 Olympic venues repurposed for the Paralympics.Among the iconic venues returning for the Paralympics is the Grand Palais, which garnered acclaim for hosting fencing and taekwondo during the Olympics. The La Defense Arena will witness the thrilling spectacle of 141 gold-medal events in para-swimming, while the Stade de France will host track and field competitions.The opening ceremony will take place at Place de la Concorde, marking a departure from the traditional stadium setting. This symbolic location, which hosted skateboarding and other urban sports during the Olympics, underscores the Paralympics' commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.Ticket sales, initially sluggish, have surged since the Olympics, with several venues reporting sellouts. The Games promise to unveil a new generation of Paralympic stars, including American sprinter and high jumper Ezra Frech, whose remarkable journey has garnered widespread attention.Seasoned veterans will also grace the Paralympic stage, such as British amputee sprinter Jonnie Peacock, who seeks to add to his medal tally at his fourth consecutive Paralympics. The Paralympics, however, extend beyond athletic competition, serving as a platform to amplify the voices of people with disabilities.International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons emphasizes the Games' potential to elevate disability issues on the global agenda. He believes that Paris 2024 will challenge perceptions and foster a more inclusive society.China, a Paralympic powerhouse, will field a formidable squad, aiming to replicate its dominance in Tokyo, where it claimed 96 gold medals. Host nation France, buoyed by the success of its Olympic team, will strive to surpass its 11 gold medals from 2021.Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the country will send a delegation of 140 athletes across 17 sports, demonstrating their resilience and determination. Athletes from Russia and Belarus will compete under a neutral banner, without team colors or participation in ceremonies.The Paralympic Games in Paris promise to be a celebration of human spirit, showcasing the extraordinary abilities of athletes with disabilities. They will inspire, challenge perceptions, and leave a lasting legacy of inclusivity and empowerment.

The Indian Paralympic contingent, led by star javelin thrower Sumit Antil, has embarked on its journey to the Paris Paralympics with the aim of securing an unprecedented five gold medals and a total of 12 medals. The first batch of 16 para athletes will acclimatize to the conditions in Paris before entering the Games Village on August 25.Antil, who is aiming to become the first Indian to defend his Paralympics gold, will train at facilities near the French capital to adjust to the weather conditions. Para athletics events will be held at Stade de France, the same venue where the able-bodied athletes competed during the Paris Olympics.Para-athletics head coach Satyanarayana expressed confidence in the team's medal prospects, stating, "We are aiming for at least five gold and 12 medals in total. This will be our best performance in the Paralympics." India's hopes are buoyed by their success at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, where they finished sixth in the medal tally with six gold, five silver, and six bronze medals.In addition to Antil, other medal contenders include Deepthi Jeevanji (women's 400m T20), Sachin Khilari (men's shot put F46), Ekta Bhyan (women's club throw F51), Simran Sharma (women's 200m T12), and Mariyappan Thangavelu (men's high jump T42).India is sending its largest ever team of 84 athletes across 12 sports to the Paralympics, with 38 from the para-athletics team. Paralympic Committee of India President Devendra Jhajharia has predicted at least 25 medals from the Paris Games.Antil and Bhagyashree Jadhav, who won a silver in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in women's shot put F34, will be the joint flag bearers for India during the Opening Ceremony, which will be held outside a stadium for the first time. The ceremony will take place from Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris.

Sumit Antil, India's javelin throw champion, is gearing up for the upcoming Paralympics in Paris with unwavering determination. Inspired by Neeraj Chopra's recent silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Antil aims to defend his Tokyo 2020 title and push the boundaries of his sport.Antil, who will be one of the flag-bearers for India at the Paralympics, has drawn immense motivation from Chopra's performance at the Stade de France. He believes that Chopra's resilience and ability to perform under pressure are qualities he aspires to emulate."Neeraj bhai's throw was a great effort. It came after he was carrying an injury, which shows his mental strength," said Antil. "I'm taking inspiration from him and trying to stay cool and steady in my preparation."Antil, who competes in the F-64 category, has a remarkable track record. At Tokyo, he broke the world record thrice, culminating in a gold medal-winning throw of 68.55 meters. He has since continued his winning streak, claiming back-to-back gold medals at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris and Kobe.Despite his success, Antil remains grounded and acknowledges the challenges of his sport. He is currently managing a minor back injury, but is confident that it will not hinder his performance in Paris."We are very conscious about injuries this time," said Antil. "I have a minor back injury, but I'm working on it and I'm confident that I will be ready for the competition."Antil's journey to the top has been marked by resilience and determination. After losing his left leg in an accident in 2015, he found solace in javelin throwing. With the support of his family and his own unwavering spirit, he has overcome adversity and become a beacon of inspiration for others."I have become more consistent since Tokyo," said Antil. "The expectations have increased, but I have also become more disciplined. I'm confident that I can perform well in Paris and bring back a good result."Antil's ultimate goal is to reach the 80-meter mark, a testament to his unwavering ambition and the limitless potential of the human spirit.