Paris - The Paralympic Games kicked off on Wednesday with a ceremony that transcended the mere competitive spirit and embraced social inclusion and appreciation in honor of the more than 16% of the world's population who have a disability, according to studies.
It couldn't have been any different given the history of the event, which began in 1948 in Stoke Mandeville (England).
At the time, Doctor Ludwig Guttmann brought together World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries for therapeutic sports games.
Twelve years later, the first edition, almost in the current format, was held in Rome (Italy) in 1960, and social inclusion remains the real reason for the competition, despite its professionalization.
As well as the Champs-Elysées and the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden was also part of the festivities, with the lighting of the pyre in the balloon that has become a tourist attraction.
More than 4,000 athletes representing 170 delegations, including Angola, took part in the parade in front of 50,000 spectators, in what is the first Paralympic Games organized by France.
The opening of the17th edition featured 150 dancers, including around 20 with disabilities, for a show full of inclusive messages held in the open air, unlike the usual pavilions.
Angola was the fifth country to parade, with T11 (totally visually impaired) sprinter Juliana Moko as the flag bearer for a delegation that included just one other athlete, Sabino Bambua, (motor impairment, class T47).
Telma Silva (Head of Mission), António da Luz (Secretary General), José Manuel (National Coach) and Paula Luís (Physiotherapist) complete the delegation.
In total, Africa is taking part with athletes from 37 of the 54 countries that make up the continent.
African representation:
During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, African countries won a total of 20 medals, four gold, six silver and ten bronze.
These are Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia and Burkina Faso.
According to expert predictions, some of the African countries taking part in these games have a real chance of making it to the podium.
Egypt, for example, has a strong team of athletes in sports such as football, volleyball and gymnastics.
Nigeria, on the other hand, has an outstanding record in sports such as athletics and swimming.
Increased security
A huge security program had been planned for the opening ceremony. Around 15,000 members of the security forces mobilized for the event.
The circulation of vehicles in the entire perimeter around Place de la Concorde was, of course, prohibited.
Several metro and train stations along the Champs-Elysées were also closed before and during the ceremony, which lasted more than four hours.
The sports competitions begin Thursday with swimming, sitting volleyball, goalball and cycling, among others, and the first medals will be collected in the direct finals.MC/ADR/DAN/AMP
