Opening ceremony for Paralympics in central Paris aims to reshape views of disabilities

A group of dancers use crutches during the rehearsal of the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in La Concorde square, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Paris, France.

A group of dancers use crutches during the rehearsal of the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in La Concorde square, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Tom Nouvian)


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PARIS — Creative director Thomas Jolly has some lofty goals for Wednesday's opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, when the heart of Paris will once again become the stage for a stunning artistic display. The outdoor ceremony at the Champs-Elysees and Place de La Concorde — a site where several members of the royal family were beheaded during the French Revolution — is aiming to challenge and reshape society's perceptions of disabilities. The ceremony scheduled for Wednesday will feature rhythmic dance performances, highlighting different physical abilities. Accessibility has been a priority, with the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees temporarily covered for wheelchair users.

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